Copying down formula doesn't work

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rosmarie
  • Start date Start date
R

Rosmarie

In column 'A' I have a list of 17 digit numbers. In
column 'B' I want to create a list from column 'A' of the
7th digit to the 17th digit. (I want to eliminate the
first 6 digits) so I type the formula =mid(a1,7,17). The
formula works for the first row but when I copy it down it
puts the same answer that was in B1 all the way down. I
have used this formula many times before but sometimes it
doesn't work. It seems like my computer gets tired. Is
there somehow to fix this problem
Thanks
 
If 'Calculate' is showing in the STATUS BAR then Tools|Options|Calculation
to Automatic

If Not it should work.
 
Rosmarie,

i can think of two things.

1. Is the formula really =mid(a1,7,17). Or is it =mid($a$1,7,17).
If it has the '$', it is an abosoulte refernece. Remove it from the
formula in cell b1 and copy down again.
2. Is the calcuation for the workbook set to manual. Look at tools
Options calcuation tab and set to automatic if it is not already done.
 
In column 'A' I have a list of 17 digit numbers. In
column 'B' I want to create a list from column 'A' of the
7th digit to the 17th digit. (I want to eliminate the
first 6 digits) so I type the formula =mid(a1,7,17). The
formula works for the first row but when I copy it down it
puts the same answer that was in B1 all the way down. I
have used this formula many times before but sometimes it
doesn't work. It seems like my computer gets tired. Is
there somehow to fix this problem
Thanks
Click to expand...

In addition to what others have written, be aware that unless you are entering
these numbers as text, Excel will turn the last two digits into zeros, as
Excel's precision is only 15 digits.


--ron
 
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