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Maggie1951's avatar
Maggie1951
Copper Contributor
Jun 08, 2022

A very simple Excel problem?

 Maybe I inadvertently changed a setting, but my various workbooks are behaving differently than they did in the past. Here's a simple example. I enter a formula with hard numbers in it, say "=7+5". The cell displays "12", so that's perfect. Now, I want to update the cell by changing only one of the numbers. up until recently, when I selected the cell, I would see "=7+5" and could easily edit the changed number. I could make the 7 a 9 and the cell contents would show "=9+5" and the cell would display "14", perfect.

 Now, however, when I select the cell I do not see "=7+5". I only see the result "12". I have to re-enter the entire formula. In my simple example I have to type in "=9+5" and then I will see the result "14". (p Obviously my real numbers are far more complicated so this is a minor pain. What am I missing? I am quite prepared to slap my forehead when someone chimes in with a very basic solution/correction. Thanks for your time!

excel
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Jun 08, 2022

    Maggie1951 

    Press the key combination [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [`]  (in Excel 2016)

    or [Ctrl] + [#]   (in Excel 2013).
    Now the formulas are displayed in the cells instead of the results.

    If your cells refer to other cells, they will be highlighted in color.

     

    or...

    display Excel formulas with a button
    Open Excel and your edited document.
    Click on the "Formulas" tab in the menu bar at the top.
    In the Formula Monitor panel, select the Show Formulas button.
    Now your formulas are displayed. If there are references to other cells within your formulas, these other cells are highlighted in color.
    If you want to see the results in the cells again, press the "Show Formulas" button again.

     

    Hope I could help you with these information

     

    NikolinoDE

    I know I don't know anything (Socrates)

    • Maggie1951's avatar
      Maggie1951
      Copper Contributor
      Jun 08, 2022

      Thanks for your response NikolinoDE . The key options had no effect, but using the 'Show Formulas' button does constitute a workaround. It will be an extra step but at least will minimize the chance of errors that comes with having to retype the entire cell contents from scratch.

       I will add that I am running an early version of Excel. One of the documents I'm working with was created back in 1999 and is running in Compatibility mode on an MS Office package that I installed in 2021. I doubt that it matters but I recently took an upgrade to Windows 11.

       I would really like to have the original functionality back that seemingly disappeared with no known action by me, i.e. select the cell and have it automatically display the formula. 

       Again, thanks for your time and workaround solution!

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