EQUAL SIGN

In excel 97, there was a shortcut button on the toolbar to insert the equal
sign in a cell to convert that cell into a formula without changing the
existing data on that cell (extremely useful shortcut for editing). Example
cell contains 12345 (a number) and I want to convert it to +12345-12 (a
formula). I used to be able to select this cell click on the equal sign
shortcut button and enter -12 to get the desire result.

I am currently using excel 2003 and that shortcut button is gone. There is
an option to customize the toolbar to get the equal sign shortcut but when I
click on this shortcut it erases the cell content and insert the equal sign
(not very useful).

Does anyone know of a way to insert the equal sign on a cell to convert it
to a formula without the need to edit this cell by pressing F2 to edit the
entire cell?

No, that functionality is gone to the chagrin of many users

--

Regards,

Peo Sjoblom


"K Nguyen" <K [email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In excel 97, there was a shortcut button on the toolbar to insert the
equal
> sign in a cell to convert that cell into a formula without changing the
> existing data on that cell (extremely useful shortcut for editing).
Example
> cell contains 12345 (a number) and I want to convert it to +12345-12 (a
> formula). I used to be able to select this cell click on the equal sign
> shortcut button and enter -12 to get the desire result.
>
> I am currently using excel 2003 and that shortcut button is gone. There
is
> an option to customize the toolbar to get the equal sign shortcut but when
I
> click on this shortcut it erases the cell content and insert the equal
sign
> (not very useful).
>
> Does anyone know of a way to insert the equal sign on a cell to convert it
> to a formula without the need to edit this cell by pressing F2 to edit the
> entire cell?

It is gone as of Excel version 2002.

Not a well-liked or well-received change, I might add.

Other than the F2 or double-click to edit directly in cell I know of no way to
add the = sign without erasing cell contents.


Gord Dibben Excel MVP

On Thu, 15 Dec 2005 10:31:02 -0800, "K Nguyen" <K
[email protected]> wrote:

>In excel 97, there was a shortcut button on the toolbar to insert the equal
>sign in a cell to convert that cell into a formula without changing the
>existing data on that cell (extremely useful shortcut for editing). Example
>cell contains 12345 (a number) and I want to convert it to +12345-12 (a
>formula). I used to be able to select this cell click on the equal sign
>shortcut button and enter -12 to get the desire result.
>
>I am currently using excel 2003 and that shortcut button is gone. There is
>an option to customize the toolbar to get the equal sign shortcut but when I
>click on this shortcut it erases the cell content and insert the equal sign
>(not very useful).
>
>Does anyone know of a way to insert the equal sign on a cell to convert it
>to a formula without the need to edit this cell by pressing F2 to edit the
>entire cell?