XL: Cell Linked to Text-Formatted Cell Shows Formula Not Value

 Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
Article ID: Q135506
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, and 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for Macintosh, versions 5.0 and 5.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for NT, version 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, if you enter a formula that links one cell to a cell that is formatted with the Text number format, the cell that contains the link is also formatted as text. If you then edit the formula in the linked cell, the formula is displayed in the cell rather than the value that is returned by the formula.

MORE INFORMATION

When you link cells in Microsoft Excel, the format of the original cell is applied to the linked cell. Thus, if you enter a formula that links one cell to a cell formatted as text, the cell with the formula is also formatted as text.

To display the value in a text formatted cell rather than the formula, follow these steps:

  1. Select the cell with the formula and click Cells on the Format menu.

  2. Select the Number tab, select the format code that you want the cell to display, and then click OK.

    The cell should still display the formula.

  3. Select the cell with the formula, press F2, then press ENTER.

    The cell should display the value.

  4. In the same cell, click Cells on the Format menu.

    The cell format category will be Text.

  5. Specify the category and format options for the cell and then click OK.

Additional query words: 5.00 7.00 5.00c 8.00 97 98 XL98 XL97 XL7 XL5
Keywords : xlformat xlformula
Version : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo

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Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
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