Delay formula calculations, until I press F9

[anthonycrockford]

Hi,

My question is:
Is there a way to enter a formula into a cell, without having Excel calculate that value until I press F9?

My problem is:
I am trying to solve a series of equations with Excel (XP) with many cell references, and two of the cells contain circular references. I have Excel set to "manual calculation" and I was hoping that I could enter formulas into all the cells, then press F9, and have Excel iterate to find a solution.

However, when I enter the formulas into the cells, and press ENTER, that formula is calculated immediately. This means that by the time I have all the cells filled, several have incorrect values. When I press F9, Excel immediately returns a value of #NUM. I don't know how to stop this.

I have performed the calculations in another program, and it could solve quickly, but my professor wants the solution in Excel. The only difference I can see between the two programs is that the other program leaves all calculations until the end.

So:
Is there a way to enter a formula into a cell, without having Excel calculate that value until I press F9?

 

[berg891832]

nm

 

[Norie]

How about Tools>Options>View then setting formulas to show

 

[Seti]

Berg891832, I believe the OP has already done this.

I have Excel set to "manual calculation"

 

[anthonycrockford]

Sorry if I wasn't clear, but Excel is already set to "Manual Calculation."

I'm trying to stop Excel from calculating a formula when I press ENTER and move on to another cell. I would like Excel to remember the formulas, but not calculate values for several cells, until I press F9.

 

[anthonycrockford]

I just tried setting it to "View" formulas, but I get the same result. All my cells read "#NUM."

 

[Aladin Akyurek]

I just tried setting it to "View" formulas, but I get the same result. All my cells read "#NUM."

Just curious: What is the formula that ends up in #NUM error?