XL: Negative Date/Time Value Displayed as Pound Signs (###)

ID: Q112361

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0a
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

If Microsoft Excel is set to use the 1900 date system, and you add or subtract data that is formatted with a time format, the date may not be displayed as you expect. When the results of the formula produce a negative value, and this data is formatted to display a time value, the cell displays pound signs, as in the following example:

   ########

CAUSE

Although the formula in the cell performs the correct operation, the number format returns the wrong results.

WORKAROUND

To display the number correctly, use either of the following methods:

Change the date system to the 1904 date system.
```
    -or-
```
Use the following to change the displayed result
```
      =TEXT(ABS(A1-A2),"-h:mm:ss")
```
where A1 has a value smaller than A2.

The above formula will display the value as text. You may need to format the cell alignment to right justified. Note that this is not an acceptable workaround if you need to use the result in another calculation.

Additional query words: 2.00 2.01 2.10 2.10c 2.10d 2.20 2.10 3.00 4.00 4.00a 5.00 7.00 8.00 97 XL97 XL7 XL5 XL4 XL3

Keywords          : kbdta xlformat xlformula 
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,4.0,5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:2.0,3.0,4.0,5.0,5.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: January 8, 1999