Where is the result after I do an autosum function?

[PatS]

I'm brand new to Excel. I'm trying to enter financial data and manipulate
this data. I tried using AutoSum on my first batch of data but don't see the
result of the function. Am I using Excel properly? Where is my result?

 

[Tyro]

It is in the cell where you did the AutoSum

Tyro

 

[Chip Pearson]

The AutoSum button creates a SUM formula in the cell you have selected when
you click the button. Excel examines the content of the cells above that
selected cell to use in SUM formula. For example, if you have numbers in
cells A1 to A10, click on A11 and click the AutoSum button. It will enter
the formula =SUM(A1:A10) in cell A11.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel, 10 Years
Pearson Software Consulting
www.cpearson.com
(email on the web site)

 

[PatS]

That's what I thought. But I don't see the result where it should be then.
And I can't do a "print preview" showing the data because it isn't an option.
How do I find the result then?

 

[Tyro]

When you click on the cell where you did the AutoSum, what does the formula
bar say is in the cell?

Tyro

That's what I thought. But I don't see the result where it should be then.
And I can't do a "print preview" showing the data because it isn't an
option.
How do I find the result then?

 

[PatS]

What I see is the summation formula. How do I see the result of the summation?

 

[David Biddulph]

If when you look at the sheet (as well as when you look in the formula bar)
you are seeing the formula, rather than the result, then there are two
likely possibilities:
Control ` (control + grave accent, probably to the left of number 1 at the
top left) will toggle between displaying results and displaying formulae
(for the whole sheet).
If the problem is for that cell only, the cell may have been formatted as
text before you entered the formula. Format the cell as General, and then
F2 and enter.
--
David Biddulph

What I see is the summation formula. How do I see the result of the
summation?

 

[PatS]

This doesn't seem to work I'm probably doing something wrong. Did I follow
you correctly --- after I do the AutoSum I should put the cursor on the cell
with the autosum formula and then toggle ctl+` (control and what I understand
the grave to be -- a diacritical going from the upper left to the lower right
-- ) abd I should see the sum. But I'm not seeing this.

 

[David Biddulph]

The Control grave is if *for every formula on the sheet* you are seeing the
formulae rather than the results.

If it is only affecting your SUM formula, first format that cell to General,
not text, then hit F2 while that cell is selected, which brings the formula
into edit mode, then hit enter. You should now see the result in the cell,
rather than just seeing the formula.

 

[PatS]

I am a raw rookie to both Excel and spreadsheets in general. The function I'm
trying to use is the AutoSum. I an new enough that I don't even know what
your answer means except that I'm doing something wrong -- which I already
knew.

I have entered some data in order to try out Excel. This is the first and
the only function that I've used so far.

 

[PatS]

It occurred to me from what you said that I may know what's wrong. I have the
figures in alternating rows with the intervening rows with empty lines. This
might louse up the AutoSum which is probably looking for inclusive cells. Is
there any simple way to get rid of the rows which I have left blank (for
visibility).

 

[Gord Dibben]

Select a column and F5>Special>Blanks>OK

Edit>Delete>Entire Row.

For visibility, do not leave blank rows, just double the row heights.

Blank rows cause many problems.........one of which you seem to have figured
out.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[PatS]

I got rid of the extra blank rows and now have just the rows with data.
Unfortunately I'm still seeing just the formula and no result. I tried the
toggle as described above but it doesn't seem to be working.

 

[PatS]

When I went to close my spreadsheet suddenly I got the total! I'm not quite
sure what I did right but I can now enter my data and try to repeat the good
result. Thank you all for the help.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Sounds like Tools>Options>Calculation is set t0 manual, re-calculate before
save.

Change to automatic.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP