Simple Formula Questions

[juic]

Hi,

First time poster. Excel isn't my forte, but I'm trying to modify a list and am having trouble doing some pretty basic stuff.

First of all, I have a little formula: =IF(A2=A3,"",K2). If A2 and A3 match, then delete the contents of A2. If they don't match, replace A2 with the contents of K2. When I enter the formula and drag it down through the cells, it changes every cell to "0". I'm not sure where this 0 is coming from, but I know I'm doing something wrong, I just don't know what.

Also, when I enter the formula it gives me a circular reference warning. Is that why the 0 is there? It's not calculating right?

An help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Paradigm_Shift]

you can't compare two cells in the same column with the same formula...in other words, you can't compare cell A2 to A3 and if they equal, change one of the values, because then they DON'T equal...thus according to the formula, now A2 should be K2.

by placing "" in the formula, you are not deleting the formula (as this technically would eliminate the circular reference...). you are simply making the value of the cell "blank"

hope this makes sense. I would recommend not comparing cells in the same column using the same formula...

 

[BecauseIcan]

Here are some things I have done in the past
=if(A2=A3," ",K2), put a space between your "Quote Marks"

 

[BecauseIcan]

That is Correct the reference would have to be to a different cell not to A2.