Why is the formula displaying rather than the actual value?

[jgoetter]

I am concatenating (6) text string cells values into a single/summary cell
(H12) on Sheet1 -- then want to display this summary cell value on Sheet2.

I am using the formula ='sheet1'!H12 in the Sheet2 cell -- but the formula
is displaying rather than the actual value of the sheet1 H12 cell.

The formula works fine for me in other situations using numbers -- but am
having trouble displaying the values in this text situation. Am on Exel 2003.

 

[John Bundy]

Try formatting the column with the formula to general.

 

[Niek Otten]

The cell was formatted as text when you entered the formula. Format as
General AND re-enter the formula (F2, ENTER); just reformatting is not
enough!

 

[jgoetter]

I did try that already, on both worksheets...

Try formatting the column with the formula to general.

 

[Mike H]

Hi,

In addition to John's point when you have re-formatted as general it still
won't work until you re-enter the formula so with the cell still selected tap
F2 and press enter.

Mike

 

[jgoetter]

No change after ensuring all formats are general & re-entering formula -- the
formula is still displaying rather than the value (which is displaying
correctly in the cell I'm referencing in my formula)

 

[jgoetter]

When I open the format cells dialog (checking that the general format is
applied to the formula cell), the 'sample' area displays the value correctly,
exactly as I want it to appear in the cell....but the formula is what's
displayed.

 

[John Bundy]

are any other formulas showing? you might hit Ctl+` to see if it changes it.
If not you are welcome to send it to me and i can take a look.

 

[Niek Otten]

Then follow John's advice: hit CTRL+`

 

[Shane Devenshire]

Hi,

On these forums its hard to read Ctrl+`
So instead choose Tools, Options, View and uncheck Formulas

Ctrl+` is the Control key with the unshifed ~ key, which is usually at the
left of the 1 key on the top row.

If this helps, please click the Yes button

Cheers,
Shane Devenshire

 

[jgoetter]

Thank you all for your help. I was doing CTRL+apostrophe rather than the
tilde key.
Kind Regards,
Jacki G

 

[Niek Otten]

Glad you got it working eventually!
So, Shane was right, difficult to read on the forum