Maybe the cell was previously formatted as text? Cells formatted as text show exactly what you type into them, so formulas will show as formulas and not work. So, by choosing to clear all would clear the text formatting and fix your problem. However, WHY the cell was formatted as text only you or the creator of the spreadsheet would know. Linda ********************************* Linda F. Johnson Linda's Computer Stop http://personal-computer-tutor.com -----Original Message----- From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Herbert Chitate Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 6:00 AM To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [mso] Cell Formatting Good Morning All, Just a quick question: Why is it that in Excel (2003), I occasionally I get a cell which is reflecting a formula, rather than the actual value of the calculation of the formula. This seems to happen at with random cells and occasionally. I know that in options I can tick the show formulas box, but I will not have done this, and it can just be a random cells, with all other cells around that cell properly showing the resultant value of a formula. I correct this by using the clear all function, which gets rid of all invisible formatting, but what causes it in the first place. Many thanks Herbert ************************************************************* You are receiving this mail because you subscribed to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or MicrosoftOffice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To send mail to the group, simply address it to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To Unsubscribe from this group, visit the group's homepage and use the dropdown menu at the top. This will allow you to unsubscribe your email address or change your email settings to digest or vacation (no mail). //www.freelists.org/webpage/mso To be able to share files with the group, you must join our Yahoo sister group. This group will not allow for posting of emails, but will allow you to join and share problem files, templates, etc.: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MicrosoftOffice . This group is for FILE SHARING ONLY. If you are using Outlook and you see a lot of unnecessary code in your email messages, read these instructions that explain why and how to fix it: http://personal-computer-tutor.com/abc3/v28/greg28.htm *************************************************************