Text only shows in formula bar?!?!?!?!?

[Elite AS]

Hi guys n gals
running the newest version of Microsoft Excel and when I enter text in a target cell that a VLOOKUP command is looking at the text is only shown in the formula bar. How do I get it to show in the cell as I type?
FYI when I type in a cell that DOES NOT have a formula based on it or looking at it the text appears in the cell as I type
I am OK with most aspects of Excel as worked with 2003 & 2007 with XP all the time, but this newest version is taking a while to find items and I am going blind for looking. I have probably seen it, but can't see the wood for the trees now.
Cheers peeps

[Ron Coderre]

It sounds like you have:
• a custom number format of: ;;;
or
• the font color (or colour) is set to white.

Do either of those situations apply?

[Elite AS]

Hi Ron
Thank you for your reply
There is a conditional format applied to all those cells affected. The CF makes all cells default to text white (as not to print) until a correct value is added from the VLOOKUP command. I have removed the CF white text function and YES the text now shows as I type.
I am now left with the VLOOKUP returning N/A in all cells or £0.00 in the monetary cell until it sees the correct answer to the VLOOKUP command
Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction
I feel so silly for not thinking if the conditional format I had applied
Regards
Ian