Help with existing formula

[spectraflame]

The following formula is in an existing spreadsheet that I need to better understand. I think this formula is searching a specific cell to look for a "/". When it is found, it subtracts the number to the left of the slash from the other number.

=IF(ISERROR(FIND("/",D19)),0,MID(D19,FIND("/",D19)+1,255)-LEFT(D19,FIND("/",D19)-1))

What I do not understand is what 1,255 is and what is for. When I key in 55/100 in cell D19, the result is 45. Just do not understand why 1,255 is necessary.

 

[63falcondude]

It isn't +1255. It is +1 comma 255. The 255 is the max number of characters to return.

That being said, I believe that you can make an easier formula such as

=RIGHT(D19,FIND("/",D19))-LEFT(D19,FIND("/",D19)-1)

 

[spectraflame]

Thank you for the simplified explanation and alternative.

 

[63falcondude]

Thank you for the simplified explanation and alternative.

Glad to help.

 

[bolony21]

Yes basically it is looking for the position of the "/" in d19.

Then uses the +1 to start from the next character to the right of the "/" and returns up to 255 characters.

Looks like you got sorted anyway.