Excel is Showing Formula Not Result? Here's What to Do!

Have you ever opened your Excel spreadsheet only to find that cells are displaying formulas rather than actual results? This frustrating issue can occur for several reasons, but don't worry – we've got you covered! In this article, we'll explore three possible causes and effective solutions to get back to working with your data.

Reason #1: Missing Equals Sign

One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to start a formula with an equals sign (=). This tiny mistake can cause Excel to display the formula instead of the result. To correct this, simply delete the cell contents and re-enter the formula starting with the equals sign.

Reason #2: Incorrect Cell Formatting

Another possibility is that the cell is not formatted for numeric data. In this case, the cell might be set to a Text format, which will display the formula instead of the result. To fix this:

1. Select the cell and press F2 to edit it.

2. Delete any hidden apostrophes (these can sneak in when importing text files).

3. Press the Home key to go back to the beginning of the formula.

4. Change the cell format from Text to a numeric format (e.g., General, Number, or Currency).

Reason #3: Show Formulas Mode

The least likely but still possible cause is that you're accidentally in Show Formulas mode. This mode displays all formulas and not their results. To toggle out of this mode:

1. Press Ctrl+` (the tilde key) to turn off Show Formulas.

2. Edit the cell using F2 and then press Enter.

To confirm that you're no longer in Show Formulas mode, look for the formula bar displaying the result instead of the formula itself.

If none of these solutions work, it's possible that the issue is more complex and requires further troubleshooting. In any case, we hope this article has helped you identify and resolve the problem of Excel showing formulas not results. Happy spreadsheeting!

Excel is showing formula not result