Formulas and functions

Nick_Dodd 

If you're willing to use VBA:

Press Alt+F11 to activate the Visual Basic Editor.

Select Insert > Module.

Copy the following function into the code window:

Function Eval(s As String)
    Eval = Evaluate(s)
End Function

Close the Visual Basic Editor.

Use like this in a cell formula to evaluate the expression in A2. The formula can be anywhere.

=Eval(A2)

Save the workbook as a macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm) and make sure that you allow macros when you open it.

Alternatively, you can use a defined name; this will only work in the cell to the right of the text string.

So let's say you have a text expression in A2.

Select B2.

On the Formulas tab of the ribbon, click Define Name...

Enter Eval in the Name box, and enter the formula =EVALUATE(A2) in the Refers To box, then click OK.

Enter the following formula in B2:

=Eval

Note that there is no reference to A2 in the cell formula; the reference is in the definition of Eval.

If you enter =Eval in cell D6, it will refer to C6, etc.