Forum Discussion
@SUM not working
I learned Excel waaaay back. I have always typed in my formulas as @SUM and not =SUM.
For some reason the @ version is not currently working. Did Microsoft phase this out? I can't find anything on the web about it.
24 Replies
- 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.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/cant-use-in-excel-2021-formulas-anymore/bc2ab73e-d606-4d37-bd9e-830177e13005
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. I am with you. I learned Excel way, way back and up until today I've been able to use @Sum, too. My computer ran an update this morning and suddenly @Sum didn't work anymore. Thanks for posting this question. You saved me a lot of time trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I see from the replies to you that I have to use =Sum. I've never seen that before.
Live & learn!
I believe that is Lotus 1-2-3 syntax.
In Excel 2010, I can type a formula starting literally @SUM(B1:B10), and Excel changes it to =SUM(B1:B10).
And if I type =2+@SUM(B1:B10), Excel chanages it to =2+SUM(B1:B10), removing the "@".
In Excel Online (onedrive.live.com), @SUM(B1:B10) is changed to =@SUM(B1:B10).
And =2+@SUM(B1:B10) is unchanged. The "@" is not removed.
But I would be wary of typing "@" explicitly. Ironically, it now called the "implicit" (sic) operator. Do a google search for more information on the legacy (truly) implicit operation.
Nevertheless, in the two examples above, Excel Online does sum the range. If B1 is 1 and B2 is 20, the first form returns 21, and the second form returns 23.
Go figure!(Rushed! On second thought, I'm not surprised by that behavior with SUM per se, because takes a range parameter normally.)
In any case, demonstrate what you mean by "not working". Show us screenshots.
- If I type =SUM at the bottom of this column of numbers, select the range, and hit enter - the sum of 36.5 is displayed
If I type @SUM at the bottom of this column of numbers (this worked previously), select the range, and hit enter - @sum( is displayed. Thought maybe it was the excel update.
I don't see a way to attach pictures, but this is what the columns look like for each:
=SUM
4
5
9
11
7.5
36.5
@SUM
4
5
9
11
7.5
@sum(@SUM() works if you ON Lotus compatibility setting (OFF by default) here
With that you may enter @SUM(range) which automatically will be converted to =SUM(range) on Enter.
Please note, setting is applied to the specific sheet in opened file only.
ironhandyman1966 Am perhaps not old enough (born 1962) and worked with Excel for the past 38 years. Can't remember it was ever @ that designated a formula. Always used =. But perhaps my memory serves me wrong.
I converted from Lotus 123 to Excel around 1998 and continued using the legacy @ symbol as the beginning to all formulas, despite knowing that Excel instructions say you should use the = sign. I just discovered that @ no longer works and this old dog will have to learn a new trick. ugh.... sounds like a simple fix, but probably like you, I type in formulas very quickly and without thinking and I fear this will be a real challenge (albeit a first world one 🙂 A quick google search indicates that Microsoft has adopted the @ sign to enable some "implicit intersection operator", so that's why they probably had to disable the legacy use of the symbol. I guess maybe we need to reread "Who Moved my Cheese"...
- Read it. Can't do it, LOL. It's not just learning the new symbol, but it's an awkward reach. Ugh!
Am perhaps not old enough (born 1962)
You are so young!! You were one year old when I graduated from college!!
