XL97: Paste Function Buttons Missing in Formula Palette

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you are using the Formula Palette in Microsoft Excel 97, there are no Paste Function buttons (as there were in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel) for inserting other functions as arguments of the function you are using.

NOTE: This does not prohibit you from nesting functions using the Microsoft Excel 97 Function Palette. See the Resolution section steps on how to nest functions with the Function Palette.

CAUSE

The Paste Function buttons were removed from the Function Palette dialog box.

RESOLUTION

To nest functions using the Function Palette in Microsoft Excel 97, do either of the following:

Method 1: Example Using the Name Box on the Formula Bar.

          a. Enter the following on a new worksheet:

             A1: 1
             A2:
             A3: 1

          b. Select cell B1 and click the "Paste Function" toolbar
             button on the Standard toolbar.

          c. In the Paste Function dialog box, locate the IF function,
             click it in the "Function name" list box and then click
             OK.

          The Function Palette will be displayed with the IF function.

          d. Click the Name Box drop-down and then click "COUNT" in the
             list of functions. Note, you may have to click "More
             Functions" to locate the "COUNT" function.

          The Function Palette will now display the arguments for the
          COUNT function.

          e. For the "Value1" argument type the following:

                A1:A3

          f. In the Formula Bar, where your nested function is being
             built, click the IF function text – do NOT click the Name
             Box drop-down.

          This will redisplay the Function Palette with the IF function
          once again.

          g. For the "value_if_true" argument type:

             TRUE

          h. For the "value_if_false" argument type:

             FALSE

          i. Click OK.

          Your the nested function should be as follows:

             =IF(COUNT(A1:A3),TRUE,FALSE)

          and, for this example, returns a value of "TRUE", without
          quotes.

          nested function.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel 97.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Formula Palette, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   formula palette