=sum not working

[SLP]

Hello. I am trying to do an =sum for 205 rows. The result is 0. I checked
Tools | Otpions -- Automatic is set. The cells leading into the =sum are
formatted as numbers. (Also tried it with General). The cells that lead into
those cells are not text. Any ideas on what is wrong? Thanks.

 

[Andrea Jones]

Sometimes cells can retain text format if they have been formatted that way
previously, even if you later format them as numeric. Highlight all the
number cells and press CTRL+1, check the format is set to number, then click
OK and click on each of the cells in turn and press F2 followed by Enter to
're-enter' the numbers in the cells, they will now be formatted properly as
numbers.

Andrea Jones
www.allaboutoffice.co.uk

 

[Sandy Mann]

Formatting does not make any difference once the entry is made. What do you
get when you try:

=ISTEXT(<any cell in your range>)

--
HTH

Sandy
In Perth, the ancient capital of Scotland
and the crowning place of kings

(e-mail address removed)
Replace @mailinator.com with @tiscali.co.uk

 

[Farhad]

Hi,

Is there a green teriangle in the left top corner of the cells that your
numbers are in them? if not please write your sum formula.

Thanks,

 

[Horatio J. Bilge, Jr.]

If your data is in column A, rows 1-205, then in cell A206, type:
"=SUM(A1:A205)" (without the quotes)

 

[Bernard Liengme]

Sounds like the entries are still text.
What happen with this formula =ISNUMBER(B2) where B2 is your first number?
Do you get FALSE? Try this:
Enter the number 1 in a cell; copy this cell
Select the troubled values; use Edit | Paste Special and check Multiply
This often gets text to turn to numbers (when possible, off course)
best wishes

 

[SLP]

Thanks for the response. I tried it but still no luck. Its almost time for
me to leave so tomorrow I will go into all the cells that lead into the cells
that lead into the sum and do the same thing.

 

[SLP]

Thanks for the repsonse. No triangle. (I'm a MOUS Master Instructor so know
about looking for the obvious.) Its just a simple : =sum(H205:H208) but
doesn't want to work.

 

[SLP]

Bingo and Gold Star! I forgot about that one!!! Thanks a bunch.