what does { and } mean in an Excel formula?

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Marcus Sparcus - 24 Oct 2006 11:15 GMT

The symbols { and } appear at the start and end of a formula but disappear
when entering edit mode on the cell. Also the formula cannot be changed as
pressing enter from the edit mode causes the formula to produce a #VALUE!
error.
Can anybody help?

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Roger Govier - 24 Oct 2006 11:25 GMT

Hi Marcus

The curly braces { } in the scenario you mention are part of an array
entered formula.
To create an array formula, you commit after original entry, or after
editing the formula, with Control + Shift + Enter (CSE) as opposed to
using plain Enter.

You must not type the braces yourself, Excel will insert them when you
use CSE.

Signature

Regards

Roger Govier

> The symbols { and } appear at the start and end of a formula but
> disappear
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> error.
> Can anybody help?

Reply to this Message

Pete_UK - 24 Oct 2006 11:26 GMT

This signifies that the formula is an array formula - it must be
committed when typed in (or when subsequently edited) by
CTRL-SHIFT-ENTER instead of the normal ENTER. Excel will put the curly
braces around the formula when viewed in the formula bar - you must not
type these yourself.

Hope this helps.

Pete

> The symbols { and } appear at the start and end of a formula but disappear
> when entering edit mode on the cell. Also the formula cannot be changed as
> pressing enter from the edit mode causes the formula to produce a #VALUE!
> error.
> Can anybody help?

Reply to this Message