Formula not working and I am extremely confused

[scott]

Here is a weird situation...

I received a workbook for a project. In one worksheet I have data fin two
different categories for each month of year for 1999 to 2007. I am taking the
ratio of the totals for each month of each year for each category. In a cell
I am typing =e7/b7, but the result shows =e7/b7. I checked the formatting of
the cell, and it was set to "text." I changed the formatting to %, yet the
result is still showing =e7/b7. I move the formula to various blank cells and
change to formatting to %, yet the result still shows =e7/b7. Also, I copy
all the data and paste it into a new workbook...and I am having the same
issue. I am using Excel 2003...can anyone help me determine what is wrong? As
far as I know the worksheet is not protected, and I am not even sure that is
what would be causing the issue if the worksheet were protected. I am able to
change numbers in the original data without any problem, either.....

 

[scott]

The formula is for =e37/b17, I apologize..I don't want someone that can help
to think that because I have data in those cells the formula might now work.

 

[Iriemon]

Once you have changed the formatting of the cell to %, click on the formula
bar (the white bar at the top of the worksheet next to the Fx) and hit enter.
Excel does not actually change the formatting until you modify the cell.

The other method would be to change the cell formatting, then retype the
formula.