Simple formulas don't work (very very weird)

  • Thread starter Thread starter brandon_05mn
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brandon_05mn

Please help, this is my problem. Some formulas don't work when I type them in.

For example, when I type this formula, it will say there is an error.
"=SUM(1,2,3)"
That does not work, it says invalid format.
but if I do a formula with a range (instead of commas), it works. Such as
"=SUM(A5:C5)" - that works just fine.

I am guessing this has something to do with the commas in the formula. When
I start to type a formula, a formula helper thing will be displayed that is
showing the format of the formula. This format example does not include
commas. It uses spaces instead. So I tried to type the formula with spaces
(instead of commas) and that doesn't work either.

I consider myself a advanced user of excel, I have extensive experience with
excel formulas, so this is really bothering me (especially since I can't type
many formulas because they need commas and that doesn't work).

One more thing. I have existing spreadsheets that I am using (I have created
these months ago). On these, I have formulas that contain commas and they all
work. But if I double-click on the cell (as if I am going to edit the
formula, but I don't edit it, I keep it the same) and press enter, the same
error appears. If I hit escape, it cancels the formula edit request and goes
back to how it was.

I did try to uninstall and reinstall excel, that didn't work. But I think it
is still pulling my info from somewhere.

Thanks for all of your help.
 
Hi

Check your regional settings to see what your delimiter is.
In many regions, you need to use the semicolon ; instead of the comma , as
the separator.
Try
=SUM(1;2;3)

--
Regards
Roger Govier

brandon_05mn said:
Please help, this is my problem. Some formulas don't work when I type them
in.

For example, when I type this formula, it will say there is an error.
"=SUM(1,2,3)"
That does not work, it says invalid format.
but if I do a formula with a range (instead of commas), it works. Such as
"=SUM(A5:C5)" - that works just fine.

I am guessing this has something to do with the commas in the formula.
When
I start to type a formula, a formula helper thing will be displayed that
is
showing the format of the formula. This format example does not include
commas. It uses spaces instead. So I tried to type the formula with spaces
(instead of commas) and that doesn't work either.

I consider myself a advanced user of excel, I have extensive experience
with
excel formulas, so this is really bothering me (especially since I can't
type
many formulas because they need commas and that doesn't work).

One more thing. I have existing spreadsheets that I am using (I have
created
these months ago). On these, I have formulas that contain commas and they
all
work. But if I double-click on the cell (as if I am going to edit the
formula, but I don't edit it, I keep it the same) and press enter, the
same
error appears. If I hit escape, it cancels the formula edit request and
goes
back to how it was.

I did try to uninstall and reinstall excel, that didn't work. But I think
it
is still pulling my info from somewhere.

Thanks for all of your help.

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Just to add to, and backup, what Roger said: I tried =SUM(1,2,3) on my system
and it works fine, returning 6. So I also suspect that your regional setting
is such that you should be using =SUM(1;2;3) to get the expected results.
 
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