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

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.

When you link cells in Microsoft Excel, the format of the original cell is applied to the linked cell. Therefore, 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 calculated value rather than the formula, you must change the format of the cell containing the formula and re-enter the formula. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell with the formula, and then click Cells on the Format menu.
2. Click the Number tab. In the Category list, click the format that you want the cell to display, and then click OK.
   
   The cell still displays the formula.
3. Select the cell with the formula, press F2, and then press ENTER.
   
   The cell displays 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.