text formula does not calculate

[ScottNiag]

Hi.

I have a column of first names, all in uppercase. i.e. BRIAN I am trying to convert to capitalized first letter with lower case else. i.e. Brian. I created a new column next to the first name col (col b), and I entered the formula
=left(b3,1)

But after entering it, I don't see "B" in the cell, but the actual formula.

Any ideas?

 

[Brian from Maui]

Hi.

I have a column of first names, all in uppercase. i.e. BRIAN I am trying to convert to capitalized first letter with lower case else. i.e. Brian. I created a new column next to the first name col (col b), and I entered the formula
=left(b3,1)

But after entering it, I don't see "B" in the cell, but the actual formula.

Any ideas?

=PROPER(B3)

If you still see the formula, go to Edit/Replace = with =

 

[ScottNiag]

Perfect. Thanks.

 

[The Gunslinger]

just for info for others that maybe looking for answers to simillar problem, check the formating of the cell when entering the formula, sometimes in excel if the cell is formated to text and the formula entered, it will decide automatically for you that you were intending to type a text entry starting with = and will only display the formula and not the result.

to solve this set cell to general then enter formula and if needed then reset cell format to text