How do I keep formulas from changing automatically?

So I typed this into a cell: =$B$8, which was wrong. I meant to type =$C$8.

So I clicked on the cell, positioned my cursor in front of the B, deleted the B, and then typed C and hit enter. The only problem is, something automatically changed the C to COUNTBLANK() and left me in the formula bar, rather than entering $C$8 as I wanted.

How do I prevent this change from occurring, so that when I enter the letter C I get a letter C, and not a function name?

Thanks

Sometimes a bit annoying, the only way I know is move the cursor to avoid the substitution, a good place after $ sign.

That works, but when you are a touch typist you may not be looking at the screen to know that the expected action did not occur. I’ll just have to keep this “feature” in mind and keep my eye on things.

I think you found a bug. I made a test in 4.3.5.2 normal installation on XP and 4.3.3 portable and 4.2.6 portable

In 4,2,6 portabel changing of a character like you B to C does not evoke any function to pop up.

In both 4.3 version I observe the same annoying bug.

May I propose to file a bug report here: https://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/bug/

It would be nice if you could place the bug number here for other to comments.

In the meantime it is the best to follow @mariosv 's advice as a workaround.

In my case this is version 3.5.4.2 on Debian Stable. Is that still worth filing a bug report on?