Why is there a plus for eg. =+F39, =+G22?

  • Thread starter Thread starter KathleenMT
  • Start date Start date
K

KathleenMT

Hi,

I'm using excel after a long hiatus, and I have what I think is a very
obvious question - that I can't seem to find an answer to.

I'm looking at a spreadsheet, and I see many cells with the following types
of values - eg. =+A22, =+B24, =+C33

My question is: why is the '+' there? Why not just say =A22, =B24, =C33?

Thanks in advance
 
Hi,


It's simply a throwback to Lotus123 in which a formula was preceded by a
plus sign. It isn't necessary in excel but Excel tolerates it.

Mike
 
Did you ever notice that if you type "+A1*3" into Excel (without the quotes) you
get "=+A1*3" but if you type "+3*A1" you get "=3*A1".

Why can't Excel drop the "+" when there is a cell reference at the beginning?
 
Glen,

This is a completely different issue.

When you enter +3*a1 Excel drops the plus because it interprets it as a
positive number and doesn't retain the plus sign. Try entering -3*a1 and you
will note the minus sign is retained to indicate a negative number.
Why can't Excel drop the "+" when there is a cell reference at the beginning?
Click to expand...

I don't know but speculate it is left there so as not to confuse users
migrating from Lotus123 to Excel.

Mike
 
Thanks for your replies Mike H and Glen!

Mike H said:
Glen,

This is a completely different issue.

When you enter +3*a1 Excel drops the plus because it interprets it as a
positive number and doesn't retain the plus sign. Try entering -3*a1 and you
will note the minus sign is retained to indicate a negative number.


I don't know but speculate it is left there so as not to confuse users
migrating from Lotus123 to Excel.

Mike
Click to expand...
 
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