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# Formulae appear as text - how do I make it calculate (v.6 64-BIT

I've used several spreadsheets, including yours. When I type "=left(a4)" I hoped to get a number representing the length of the text string located at A4. All I get is the formula, and I can't figure out how to get around this. I've typed the formula directly and I've constructed it with the wizard, same result.

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## Comments

what spreadsheet is named as "yours" here? i'm curious if the poster confuses spreadsheets (data) and spreadsheet software (Calc), and if the poster thinks that calling it "your" is OK when addressing to other users that help each other on the site.

( 2018-03-24 16:24:24 +0200 )edit

Yes, I meant :spreadsheet programs." I called it "your" because I thought I was addressing the question to the people who wrote the program.

( 2018-03-25 18:51:13 +0200 )edit

## 2 Answers

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Two possible reasons might be here:

1. You have Show Formula view mode active (see it in menu View);
2. Your cell is formatted as text (see Format->Cells). In this case, whatever you input into the cell, is treated as textual string, not a number or a formula, regardless if it can be interpreted as such. Choose a numeric format to resolve this case.
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## Comments

2

Also user has wrong function:

LEFT Returns the first character or characters of a text.

LEN Returns the length of a string including spaces.

From the Help file.

( 2018-03-24 17:20:10 +0200 )edit

It turns out I had "Show Formula" mode active. Thanks for the help!

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Asked: 2018-03-24 16:23:25 +0200

Seen: 42 times

Last updated: Mar 25 '18