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Excel not calculating correctly

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11 replies

by dbc

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The Finance Dept computers run Excel 2000 in a Windows 98 environment. Spreadsheets that must calculate are normal procedure. Recently, however, when they have gone to replace numbers in reusable spreadsheets, the figures have not calculated correctly. If we highlight the set of cells from top to bottom and use the Autosum, the total will not be correct. F-9 to recalculate does not work. There are no formulas in those particular cells. We have even copied and pasted to another place on the spreadsheet and it still miscalculates. Totally clearing the cells and re-entering data does not help. The only way to get a correct total is to manually insert it. No luck looking for answers on the MS Excel website. We are desperate for an answer as the Finance Dept. runs on these spreadsheets!

11 replies

by syscokid

Well, you don't state the specific nature of the miscalculation. Could it simply be a matter of rounding? High a column, click on Format, Cells, Number tab, number. Is it set to use a sufficient number of decimals?

by dbc

The dollar figures were whole dollar amounts with a 2 in the decimal box so rounding would not have been a problem---I don't think! Of course, at this point, I just don't have any idea! Thanks for your input! I appreciate it!

by dklippert

Make sure the data is all numeric. One way to correct any text entries is to put the number 1 in a cell. Copy it, select the data and use Edit> Paste Special Multiply.

by dbc

The column was in whole dollar amounts and it was set up in currency. Please see the comment I added to my question to see what process I was using. I appreciate your input, though, and if you think of anything else, please let me know! I am past understanding at this point!

by mtboileau

I have previously the similar problems with data ranges, formulas, and preset data aquisition functions with respect to the column width settings to auto ranges and not redifining new definitions of range spaces, in the data search/query, hope this helps, please let me know how you make out at mtboileau@netscape.net, if you wish

by dbc

I went through the steps you suggested. I appreciate your help. Please see the comment I added to the question to see exactly the process I was using. I am at a loss to know what else to do, so I am open to trying any solution you can suggest.Thanks so much!

by dbc

Thanks for your input. The column was $ and set for 2 decimals. It was a short list of four dollar amounts and the total was to be added in another column to get a grand total in a spreadsheet that keeps records of monthly hours used and dollar charges. I highlighted the four amounts and a blank cell below them and hit the AutoSum button on the toolbar. Each time, the total was incorrect. The only way I could get a correct total for that small column was to use a calculator and manually type in the total. I checked all the formulas, column widths, formats, etc., even calling an outside software tech--no luck! Could I have a glitch in my Excel 2000 program??? Could it be an incompatibility problem??

by wordworker

Select the columns that contain the amounts and format them as General. I've seen this happen MANY times when someone has manually formatted a range of cells as Text -- no matter what you put in those cells, Excel treats them as zero-value in calculations.

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