When you insert a Formula in a spreadsheet, Microsoft Excel should automatically execute the formula and display the result in the selected cell. However, it is also not uncommon to find Formulas not working in Microsoft Excel.
In most cases, the issue of Formulas not working in Microsoft Excel can occur due to the following reasons.
- Cell Formatting: The cell containing the formula being set to Text Format.
- Calculation Mode: The calculation mode for formulas being set to manual mode.
- Reference Errors: Incorrect or invalid cells being referenced in the formula.
- Circular References: Excel won’t be able to proceed with the calculation, if the formula ends up referring to its own cell.
In addition to these, syntax errors, presence of space or apostrophe prior to the equal sign in the formula and “Show Formulas” option being switched-on can lead to the issue of formulas not working in Microsoft Excel.
Related: How to Replace Zeros With Blank, Dash or Text in Excel
Formulas Not Working or Calculating in Excel
Now that we understand the reasons for Formulas are working in Microsoft Excel, we can go ahead and take a look at the steps to fix this issue in Microsoft Excel.
1. Disable Show Formulas
The “Show Formulas” feature in Excel allows you to see all the Formulas used in the worksheet, so that you can review and correct them as required.
This feature works like a toggle, when it is switched ON it displays the actual formulas used in the Cells and when switched OFF, it displays the calculation results produced by the formulas.
It is likely that you may have accidentally switched on the Formula Mode, resulting in Formulas being displayed in the worksheet.
The most common reason for “Show Formulas” option being accidentally enabled in Excel is due to users typing Control ` , which is actually a Keyboard Shortcut for Show Formula.
1. Select the Formula tab in the top-menu bar and click on Show Formulas option in Formula Audition section.
Now, you should be able to see a regular worksheet with results of the Formulas being visible in the Cells.
2. Enable Automatic Calculations
It is possible that Formulas are not working due to calculation option for the worksheet being set to manual mode.
1. Select the Formulas tab in the top-menu bar > click on Calculation Options and select the Automatic option in the drop-down menu.
Once, calculations are set to Automatic mode, you will see Formulas producing results as soon as you type them.
3. Excel Treating Formula As Text
If you find a Single Formula or Formulas in a few Cells not working, the problem is not due to “Show Formulas” option being enabled.
In this case, the problem is due to Excel treating formula in a certain Cell or group of cells as Text.
When Excel treats a Formula as Text in any Cell, it simply displays whatever the Formula is typed or entered in the Cells and does not try to evaluate the Formula.
There could be many reasons for Excel treating Formula as text. So let us go ahead and rule out many of these reasons.
3.1. Formula Enclosed in Quotes
Make sure that the Formula is not enclosed in quote marks (” “). If the Formula is enclosed in quote marks, Excel will treat the Formula as a Text string.
This problem usually occurs due to users copying Formulas from websites along with the quote marks (” “) used to highlight the Formula.
1. Click in the Cell containing the Formula and see if the Formula is enclosed in Quotes.
Simply, remove the quote marks and you will see the Formula working and producing the desired result.
Note: You are allowed to use quotes inside the formulas, but not to enclose the Formula in quotes.
3.2. No Equal Sign in Formula
When you manually type a Formula in Excel, the Formula should always begin with an Equal sign (=).
If you forget to begin a Formula without an Equal (=) sign, Excel won’t be able to sense that you are actually typing a Formula.
3.3. Space or Apostrophe Before Equal Sign
Another common reason for Formula not working in Excel is due to the presence of a Space or Apostrophe before the Equal (=) sign.
As you can see in the image below, Formula starting with a space before the equal sign is being treated as text by Excel.
To fix this issue, select the Cell containing Excel Formula > click in the Formula bar and remove the Space before the Equal sign.
3.4. Cell Format Set to Text
If everything about the Formula appears right and yet the Formula is not working, it is likely that the Cell containing the formula is in Text Format.
1. Right-click on the Cell containing Formula and select Format Cells… option in the drop-down menu.
2. On Format Cells screen, set the format to General or to a particular Number Format in which you want to display the result produced by the formula and click on OK.
3. After changing Number Format, select the Cell Containing Formula > click into the Formula bar and hit the Enter key on the keyboard of your computer.
You should now see the Formula working and producing results.