Subtraction errors

[rberman]

This is probably a really stupid question, but I'm trying to subtract 2 cells (have been doing this for years) within a worksheet with lots of linked formulas. when I try to do the subtraction formula, I'm getting zero as an answer, or sometimes even an incorrect answer, even though the answer is not zero. Please help! I'm at my wits end
Thanks so much

 

[Richard Schollar]

Hi Rosemarie

Welcome to the Board!

Can you provide example values that are being subtracted and indicate how they are not working? Thank you

Richard

 

[rberman]

subtraction errors

HI Richard,
Thanks for getting back to me (btw,your baby is adorable!). I think I figured out my subtraction problem. I'm not an excel expert but I think I just found out what a circular error is (kind of). Now I'm having an addition problem... I've added 3 columns of numbers, with each value coming from another cell. In the third column, I'm trying to do the same thing, but my sum is equaling 0. My bottom bar is indicating Circular for the sum of the second column.
Hope this makes sense.
Rosemarie

 

[Richard Schollar]

Hey Rosemarie - thanks He was having one of his 'well-behaved' moments when the picture was taken!

It would really assist me (and everyone else) if you could post a sample of your data (eg the formulas/cells giving you the trouble) by using Colo's html maker (which is an excel add-in). See the link at the bottom of my signature.

Without knowing exactly what the formulas are defined as (eg =A1+B1 or whatever) and their positions on the spreadsheet (ie the cells they occupy) it is very difficult to come to any conclusions.

Richard

 

[rberman]

I'm sorry for the delay. I can't get the add in into excel. I have my macro settings to high and always trust add ins for security, but still no luck.

 

[Richard Schollar]

Rosemarie

If you have your macro security settings on High, then macros are disabled by default. Try adjusting to Medium (which then requires you to agree to enable/disable on opening the relevant workbook).

If this doesn't work for you, another approach is to describe in exactly what cells you have these formulas (eg in cell B1 I have the formula: =A1+A2 or whatever) and describe the exact problem you are experiencing (and what error messages if any Excel is giving you). Hopefully then I will be able to be more help

Richard