XL: Cell Linked to Text-Formatted Cell Shows Formula Not Value

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh
• Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, if you enter a formula that links one cell to a cell that is formatted with the Text number format, the cell that contains the link is also formatted as text. If you then edit the formula in the linked cell, the formula is displayed in the cell rather than the value that is returned by the formula.

CAUSE

When you link cells in Microsoft Excel, the format of the original cell is applied to the linked cell. Thus, if you enter a formula that links one cell to a cell formatted as text, the cell with the formula is also formatted as text.

MORE INFORMATION

To display the value in a text formatted cell rather than the formula, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell with the formula and click Cells on the Format menu.



2. Click the Number tab. Select the format code that you want the cell to display, and then click OK. The cell should still display the formula.



3. Select the cell with the formula, press F2, and then press ENTER. The cell should display the value.



4. In the same cell, click Cells on the Format menu. The cell format category will be Text.



5. Specify the category and format options for the cell and then click OK.

Additional query words: 5.00c 8.00 97 XL97 XL7 XL5

Keywords          : kbdta xlformat xlformula 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbinfo 

Last Reviewed: July 15, 1999