Excel.

[Wraith]

When entering data into an Excel cell, how can I get it to accept + - * / as entries and not as a formula?

The reason I want this is because I have set up a small spreadsheet for my son to play on. In column A he enters his first number, column C his second number and in column B I want him to be able to enter + - * /

I have set the column has text or general, but excel still thinks that I'm entering a formula. 

[Gandy]

Put in the symbol i.e. + then press enter. Perhaps though it may be wise to show your son how Excel works and how to input a formula properly?

[Wraith]

Gandy, try it with / and see what happens. Also, sometimes it accepts +, but not always. Sometimes it thinks it's aformula.

[georgeous]

entering a value and then pressing enter should always leave it on it's own and not change it to a formula, maybe ur using an older version of excel than us.

[Gandy]

The / symbol is the defualt Excel menu key. To change this go to tools/options and select the Transition tab. Change the defualt Excel menu key to the tilde key (the button above your tab key). Click OK and you'll now be able to use the / symbol.

[Wraith]

Hi georgeous, I'm using Excel 2000 (9.0.2720).

Gandy, have reset the default menu key and / is now accepted as an entry on its own. Thanks.

Have also discovered that part of the problem was that I was using the cursor keys to move from cell to cell, instead of ENTER.

 

Thanks again.