XL: "Formula Is Not Valid" Changing Label Text with FORMULA()

ID: Q112029

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, if you use the FORMULA() function in a Microsoft Excel 4.0 macro to change the text in an unattached chart label, you may receive one of the following error messages:

   "Formula is not valid"

   -or-

   "Reference is not valid"

WORKAROUND

To change the text in a chart label without receiving one of the error messages listed above, do either of the following:

Use the following syntax in a Microsoft Visual Basic Programming System, Applications Edition, procedure:
```
      ActiveChart.DrawingObjects("Text 2").Select
      Selection.Characters.Text = "modified text"
```
-or-
Use the Text.Box function in a Microsoft Excel version 4.0 macro. For example, to change the text in the textbox "TEXT 2," to "modified text," use the following syntax:
```
      =SELECT("Text 2")
      =TEXT.BOX("modified text")
```

Note that this is only a problem with unattached text labels. This is not a problem with data labels or chart titles.

Microsoft provides examples of Visual Basic for Applications procedures for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. The Visual Basic procedures in this article are provided 'as is' and Microsoft does not guarantee that they can be used in all situations. While Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular macro, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality, nor will they help you construct macros to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to consult one of the Microsoft Solution Providers. Solution Providers offer a wide range of fee-based services, including creating custom macros. For more information about Microsoft Solution Providers, call Microsoft Customer Information Service at (800) 426-9400.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above. We are researching this problem, and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

The information in Microsoft Excel Macro Functions Help indicates that you can use the FORMULA() function to enter or edit a text label in a chart. However, if you use the FORMULA() function to edit text in an existing text label, you receive one of the error messages listed above. You can, however, use the FORMULA() function to edit a formula in a text label. For example, if you use the following syntax in a Microsoft Excel version 4.0 macro, you do not receive an error message:

   =SELECT("Text 2")
   =FORMULA("=[BOOK1]Sheet1!$B$2")

REFERENCES

For more information about FORMULA(), choose the Search button in the Microsoft Excel Macro Functions Help and type:

    FORMULA function

Additional query words: 5.00 7.00

Keywords          : kbprg 
Version           : 5.00 7.00
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999