Excel 2003: What happened to the '=' button in the formular bar

[Smokey Joe]

I've just upgraded from Excel 2000 to Excel 2003. The most important change
I've noticed is that the '=' sign in the formula bar has been replaced with
the function (e.g. fx) button.

This is somewhat annoying because I was used to starting my formulas by
clicking on the = sign and then pointing at various cells to include in a
formula.

Is this user replaceable in some way so I can get the '=' sign back or am I
missing something important in terms of new functionality?

TIA for any help you can provide

Smokey

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

No, the "=" button (Edit Formula) is gone, and there's no way to replace
it in Excel 2003. You may find the following thread interesting:


http://groups.google.com/groups?&threadm=04fb01c29ae3$86f4d080$8df82ecf@TK2MSFTNGXA02

 

[Brian]

Not a complete solution, but IMO it's easier.. Just type the "=" sign
before typing your function.

 

[Smokey Joe]

No, the "=" button (Edit Formula) is gone, and there's no way to replace

it in Excel 2003. You may find the following thread interesting:

Thanks for the response - very helpful indeed.

Am I a legend in my own lunchtime?

I've been using spreadsheets since Visicalc on the Apple IIe (which is about
1980 if my failing memory is correct). I used Multiplan, Lotus 1-2-3 and
eventually was forced to convert to Excel. I only mention this because I
think I am qualified by dint of length of use and experience to be called an
expert on spreadsheets and to make the following observations.

In my expert opinion the brain who decided to change the interface of Excel
in this way is one worthy of scientific study. As a matter of pure academic
interest, I think the individual or individuals concerned really should
explain to the existing10 gazillion users of Excel why this change was
necessary? I mean, on entertainment value alone, it should be interesting,
should it not?

I suppose the old saw, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" has no meaning
inside Redmond. Of course for someone of my advancing years I still remember
when Microsoft was a mediocre, chicken-shack outfit based in Albuquerque,
New Mexico. Some days it seems to me that the only thing that has changed
since that time is that they moved to Redmond.

The reason why this irks me so much is that I teach spreadsheets to students
in the 11-16 year old range. I've tried to break their habit of manually
entering cell references - instead of using the mouse to click on cells when
creating formulas - which in my experience is a more productive and less
error prone way of working. It was great to be able to click on the = sign
and then click on functions and cells. Now they will have to use the
keyboard to start inputting the formula and once they do that getting them
to use the mouse is a lost cause. Amplify this issue to the existing and
future users of Excel and all that has happened is that productivity in
spreadsheets has taken a retrograde step. (Yes, I know you can add the =
button to a toolbar but really, how many users even understand how to
customise the toolbars, and why should they have to do it, anyway?).

What is frustratingly annoying is that it was Microsoft who insisted on
inserting an '=' sign into forumlas in the first place. Those of us who grew
up on Lotus never used one and I don't recall the absence ever being a
problem when creating a formula. Would it not have benefitted mankind more
greatly if the gods in Redmond had actually found a way of getting rid of
the necessity for an = sign (or any operator) to commence a formula,
altogether? (Or does it take real brains to figure that one out?)

OK. Bugger productivity! I admit defeat. The kids can type and mistype as
much as they want. How can I possibly hope to contend with this level of
stupidity and ignorance by the monopoly supplier of spreadsheets? I am but
one inadequate voice in a vast sea of ignored and uncherished users.

I have one very simple word for Microsoft: IBM. It can happen to you.

Smokey

PS Apologies for the rant but I feel like a lone voice in the wilderness.

 

[Fabian]

Smokey Joe hu kiteb:

The reason why this irks me so much is that I teach spreadsheets to
students in the 11-16 year old range. I've tried to break their habit
of manually entering cell references - instead of using the mouse to
click on cells when creating formulas - which in my experience is a
more productive and less error prone way of working. It

Think of this as an opportunity to teach them fast and accurate typing.
That is a badly needed skill in this day and age. And the keyboard is
still the interface of choice for more complicated projects within
excel, such as VBA.

 

[Dave R.]

I have always typed in formulas, I don't see what the problem is with that.
Being very detailed in typing, whether it's referencing the correct cell, or
making sure you have all the right parenthesis in the right places, all the
right arguments, the right spelling, etc. can only help in other areas of
work, I'd say.

Then again, when Sierra games (like Kings Quest and Space Quest) switched
over to a mouse-driven game system, I wasn't thrilled with that either..

As for typing the = sign before formulas, try using the + sign. It works
mostly the same as the =, and Excel always adds the = to the formulas even
if you start with +.