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using sum function referring to othe formula cells - getting return of zero

Anonymous
2012-09-27T18:46:36+00:00

i want to sum two cells e43 and e44, e43 with the formula =IMSUB(E42,E47) returning a value of 222 (correct) , and e44 with the formula =IMSUB(C39,F39) returning a value of 16 (correct); in cell e49, i am using =SUM(e43:e44); both of the referred to cells are returning correct values, but my sum is returning zero. Thoughts?

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Anonymous
2012-09-27T19:23:58+00:00

If you are not working with complex numbers then change

=IMSUB(E42,E47)

to

=E42-E47

and you won't need IMSUM either...

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-09-27T19:19:20+00:00

    not working with complex numbers really.

    i changed to =IMSUM(e43,e44) and it works perfectly now. the result is a number, and the correct one, at that!

    thanks much!

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-27T18:54:56+00:00

    IMSUB returns a string value normally of the form "a + bi", which can only be converted to a number to add if the imaginary parts of the two complex numbers are identical (in which case the bi part is left off).

    =IMSUM(E43,E44) will work (though the result will not be a number, but text), or you can array enter - enter using Ctrl-Shift-Enter:

    =SUM(VALUE(E43:E44)) 'this will only work for the situation you describe....

    Just curious - why are you working with complex numbers?

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