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fmanclossi's avatar
fmanclossi
Copper Contributor
Jul 14, 2022
Solved

Wrong evaluation order

Hi, when I type the following formula

=+'[external file.xlsx]Specialist Support_D'!$G$8/220/4

Excel change it and insert in the cell the following one:

=+'[external file.xlsx]Specialist Support_D'!$G$8/55

performing:

  1. a change that I don't want
  2. and make a mistake!

Then, if a edit the cell correcting only the last part (substitute "55" text with "220/4", everything works as a charm.

Any hint?

 

Thanks in advance

  • fmanclossi 

     

    The problem arises when the cell is formatted as Currency, Accounting, and perhaps Custom formats that include a currency symbol, and you enter the formula starting with "+" instead of "=".

     

    The best solution is simple:  don't do that.  Enter formulas with "=" instead of "+".

     

    There really is no good reason to start formulas of that form with "+".

     

    (Users of numeric keypads like to enter constant expressions with "+".)

     

    Alternatively, use redundant parentheses to force Excel to evaluate in the intended order.  For example:

     

    +('[external file.xlsx]Specialist Support_D'!$G$8/220)/4

1 Reply

  • JoeUser2004's avatar
    JoeUser2004
    Bronze Contributor

    fmanclossi 

     

    The problem arises when the cell is formatted as Currency, Accounting, and perhaps Custom formats that include a currency symbol, and you enter the formula starting with "+" instead of "=".

     

    The best solution is simple:  don't do that.  Enter formulas with "=" instead of "+".

     

    There really is no good reason to start formulas of that form with "+".

     

    (Users of numeric keypads like to enter constant expressions with "+".)

     

    Alternatively, use redundant parentheses to force Excel to evaluate in the intended order.  For example:

     

    +('[external file.xlsx]Specialist Support_D'!$G$8/220)/4

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