XL: Function Wizard Inserts Equation as Text in IF() Function

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0b

SYMPTOMS

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article, if you use a formula as a True or False argument in an IF statement, the formula may be converted to text.

For example, if you use A2*1000/A3 as the false argument of an IF statement, it may be entered in the IF statement with quotation marks around it, as in the following example:

   =IF(A1=0,0,"A2*1000/A3")

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do either of the following:

• Enter the formula manually

      -or-
  

• Edit the IF statement that is created by the Function Wizard and remove the quotation marks from the formula.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Function Wizard, choose the Search button in Microsoft Excel Help and type:

   function wizard