Referencing Content of Other Files

[TH]

I'm entering a formula into a cell in an excel 2000
spreadsheet and have a problem. Example befow:

File 1 => cell A1 has number 5
File 2 => cell A1 has number 7

In File 1, I want to add the 2 numbers together. I
type "A1+" and this shows up in the formula bar. I then
go to File 2 and the formula bar no longer shows "A1+", it
shows the contents of the cell in File 2 that is
selected. If I go back to File 1, the formula bar once
again shows "A1+"! Both these files are saved and are the
same version of Excel.

I don't have this problem if I use another file (File
3)... I can add the number in File 1 to the one in File 3
without a problem! What is wrong with File 2?? Is there
something in it's format that is causing this?? I have a
feeling the solution is much simpler than I can imagine!
Help!

 

[Anon]

I'm entering a formula into a cell in an excel 2000
spreadsheet and have a problem. Example befow:

File 1 => cell A1 has number 5
File 2 => cell A1 has number 7

In File 1, I want to add the 2 numbers together. I
type "A1+" and this shows up in the formula bar. I then
go to File 2 and the formula bar no longer shows "A1+", it
shows the contents of the cell in File 2 that is
selected. If I go back to File 1, the formula bar once
again shows "A1+"! Both these files are saved and are the
same version of Excel.

I don't have this problem if I use another file (File
3)... I can add the number in File 1 to the one in File 3
without a problem! What is wrong with File 2?? Is there
something in it's format that is causing this?? I have a
feeling the solution is much simpler than I can imagine!
Help!

You need to type "=A1+" (without the quotes). Note the equals sign "=".
Without this you are not typing in a formula, merely the text "A1+", so when
you switch to the other workbook Excel isn't ready to accept a reference to
go in a formula.