Forum Discussion
starting the formula with @
I am an old Mac Excel user and have always started my formulas with @ instead of the = sign. example @sum(... etc. Obviously, in the cell block, the @ sign is automatically converted to the = sign once I hit enter. However, since an upgrade a week ago, the @ sign no longer works and am forced to use the = sign. Is there a way to revert this option back to the @ sign? And yes, I know, the = sign is the correct sign to use to start a formula.
The Lotus Translation feature, which allowed the "@" symbol to function as the "=" sign in Excel, has been deprecated, with the default setting now disabling it. This modification may elicit a sense of irony, as an individual within the Microsoft organization may have sought to inject humor into the situation.
The process for reactivating the Lotus Translation feature is outlined in the provided reference. However, it has a notable drawback; it does not persistently remain enabled, as indicated in the accompanying text.
Notably, some users, particularly those with a long-standing history of utilizing Lotus 1-2-3 predating the emergence of Excel, have grown accustomed to employing the "@" symbol for formula entry. Consequently, the enforced transition to the "=" sign can be seen as a significant departure from a practice ingrained over four decades. The abrupt shift imposed by Microsoft, altering a familiar convention, may understandably be met with frustration and bewilderment among users.
The abrupt shift imposed by Microsoft, altering a familiar convention, may understandably be met with frustration and bewilderment among users. Some may view this change as indicative of Microsoft's self-centered and egotistical approach, seemingly disregarding the long-standing user preferences and established industry conventions in favor of imposing their own standards. This departure from accommodating user habits underscores a broader trend in the tech industry, where software giants occasionally prioritize their corporate agendas over the user experience and preserving legacy practices.
Excel formulas traditionally start with the equal sign (=), and this is the standard syntax across various platforms, including Excel for Mac. The use of the at sign (@) as the formula initiator is not a standard or officially supported feature in Excel. To my limited knowledge, you cannot start a formula with the @ symbol.
If you were able to use the @ sign to start formulas in the past on Excel for Mac, it might have been due to specific settings, configurations, or perhaps a third-party add-in or customization that allowed for such behavior. However, this is not part of the default behavior in standard Excel installations.
Even for Google Sheets, the standard formula syntax also uses the equal sign (=). Google Sheets does not support the @ sign as a formula initiator in the same way you described for Excel.
If you have a specific memory of this behavior in the past, it is possible that it was related to a specific setting, customization, or tool that was present in your previous Excel environment. If you are currently experiencing difficulties or if there have been recent changes, it's recommended to check for any release notes, documentation, or support resources related to the specific version of Excel for Mac you are using.
The only thing that might be possible is to do it with VBA code.
Here is an example:
- Open the Excel workbook.
- Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
- Insert a new module by right-clicking on any item in the project explorer (on the left) and selecting "Insert" -> "Module."
- In the module, enter the following VBA code:
Vba Code:
Function @Sum(ParamArray values() As Variant) As Double @Sum = WorksheetFunction.Sum(values) End Function5. Close the VBA editor by clicking the "X" button or pressing Alt + Q.
Now, you can use this custom function in your worksheet. For example, in a cell, you can enter =@Sum(A1:A10).
Please note that this is just a basic example, and it involves creating custom VBA functions for each specific formula you want to use with the "@" sign. This is not changing the default behavior of Excel but rather creating custom functions.
Excel for Mac might have some limitations or differences compared to the Windows version, so it's always a good idea to test and ensure compatibility with your specific version of Excel for Mac.
Also, keep in mind that sharing workbooks with custom VBA functions may require others to enable macros in their Excel settings.
Always be cautious when using or sharing workbooks with custom VBA code, and make sure that users are aware of the potential security implications of enabling macros. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
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- I appreciate your reply. However, I tried to figure out the steps on my Mac but no success. Even asked Chat to help me find the path to "Lotus compatibility" (as explained in the link you provided) but no luck
