Excel Showing Formula Instead of Result: How to Fix It

While using Excel, sometimes users may encounter an issue where Excel shows the formula instead of the expected result. This can be frustrating and not everyone can instantly fix such an issue.

When Excel shows formula instead of result, it means that the formula is not being calculated and instead is being displayed as text. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as formatting issues or incorrect settings. It is important to understand the root cause of the issue in order to fix it and ensure that the expected results are being displayed.

Fortunately, there are several ways to fix the issue of Excel showing formula instead of result. By following certain steps and adjusting settings, users can ensure that their formulas are being calculated and displayed as expected. It is important to troubleshoot the issue and identify the root cause in order to find the appropriate solution.

Why Does Excel Display The Formula And Not The Result?

One of the most common reasons for this issue is that the “Show Formulas” option is enabled. This option displays all the formulas used in the sheet instead of their results. This option can be accidentally enabled by using a keyboard shortcut, and it can be turned off by using the same shortcut.

Another reason is that the cell is formatted as text. When a cell is formatted as text, Excel treats the formula as a text string and displays it instead of the result. To fix this issue, the user needs to change the cell format to “General” or any other format that is appropriate for the data.

In some cases, Excel may also display the formula instead of the result if the formula contains an error. This issue can be resolved by correcting the error in the formula.

Further in the article, I’ll show you step-by-step guides to fix all these problems

How To Fix ‘Excel Showing Formula Not Result’ Issue?

If you are facing an issue with Excel showing formulas instead of results, then there are a few things you can do to fix it.

Show Formulas Is Enabled

One of the most common reasons why Excel shows formulas instead of results is that the “Show Formulas” option is enabled. This option is used to display formulas instead of results in the cells. To disable this option, you can either press Ctrl + `. This is a toggle shortcut for Show Formulas and will also switch the option off.

The other way is to hit the Show Formulas button in the Formulas tab. Both methods will disable Show Formulas.

Cell Format Is Set As “Text”

Another reason why Excel shows formulas instead of results is that the cell format is set as “Text.” When a cell is formatted as text, Excel treats any data entered into the cell as text, including formulas. To fix this, select the cell(s) that displays the formulas instead of the result.

Then change the formatting to General. After you’ve done this, you won’t see any difference.

Now, double-click one of the formulas as if you were to edit it. Then just hit Enter and you’ll see the result instead of the formula.

Formula Is Wrapped In Quotes

If your formula is wrapped in quotes, Excel will treat it as text and display it instead of the result.

To fix this, remove the quotes from the formula.

An Apostrophe Before The Formula

If there is an apostrophe before the formula, Excel will treat it as text and display it instead of the result. To fix this, remove the apostrophe from the formula.

Equal Sign Is Either Missing Or There Is A Space Before It

If the equal sign is either missing or there is a space before it, Excel will treat it as text and display it instead of the result.

To fix this, add the equal sign before the formula or remove the space before it.

In conclusion, there are several reasons why Excel shows formulas instead of results, but the most common ones are related to formatting and settings. By following the steps outlined in this section, you should be able to fix the issue and display the results you need.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Excel showing formula instead of result can be a frustrating issue for users. However, the problem can usually be easily fixed by checking a few common causes.

Firstly, users should check if the Show Formulas feature has been accidentally turned on. This can be done by pressing the Ctrl + ` shortcut or by clicking the Show Formulas button in the Formulas tab.

Secondly, users should check if the cell is formatted as text. This can be done by selecting the cell, right-clicking, and selecting General under the Format Cells option.

Lastly, users should check if the worksheet is set to display formula and not results. This can be fixed by holding down the Ctrl key and tapping the ` symbol, which is located to the left of the 1 key.

By following these simple steps, users can easily fix the issue of Excel showing formulas instead of results. It is important to note that it is always a good idea to double-check the formulas in Excel to ensure that they are correct and produce the desired results.

Overall, Excel is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance productivity and efficiency in the workplace. By taking the time to understand and troubleshoot common issues, users can make the most out of Excel and its many features.