Excel Won't Let Me Edit Cell With Existing Formula

Question

Apologies if this has been answered somewhere else, I've had a hard time articulating the exact problem.

I have a call in excel that already has a formula in it. For example a simple =SUM(). From there, I want to subtract something from the sum, but when I try to add the subtraction sign and then F2 to pull in another cell, Excel doesn't let me exit the cell and gives me the this message:

"We think we found a typo in your formula and tried to correct it to: =SUM()".

Where it tries to leave the formula as is and doesn't let me add any other mathematical operations to it.

Does anyone know how to fix this issue? Many thanks.

Answer 1

Hi tnd150130,

As per your description, *“*I try to exit the cell by clicking F2 again and linking to anothercell. However, when I click the arrow keys to go to another cell, that's what Ireceive the error message.” I just tested as you described, and it seem work fine. See image below for your reference:

First, make sure you’ve updated Office to the latest version that some issues can be resolved with such method.

Meanwhile, please tell us more information below to let us help you:

1. Please capture a screenshot of error message to us.
2. What’s your Excel version? Open Excel File > Account > Production Information and share a screenshot of it.  (Please mask your private information.)
3. Does the issue happens on all Excel files or a specific one?

I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Best Regards

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 2

I tried to replicate your process, but I am not having the same problem. It would be best to have pictures to verify that I am taking the same steps as you are. Have you tried to just to edit in the formula tool bar or double clicking the cell to open the formula and not use F2?

Answer 3

Hi tnd150130,

I found this reference about subtracting numbers and used it to test out the problem and found a solution (if I understand your post correctly without a reference picture). FYI, I am using Microsoft 265 products.

This picture shows the results of subtracting a sum from a sum (cell E11) and subtracting a cell from a sum (cell F12):

This picture shows the formulas of subtracting a sum from a sum and subtracting a cell from a sum:

I hope this works for you. If it does, please mark my reply as helpful and as solved.

Answer 4

Hi tnd150130,

I apologize for all the trouble it has caused and sorry about your time.

As per your description, based on my test result I cannot meet same behavior as you mentioned.

To move further, if it is convenient for you, could you please share with us screenshot of your Excel sheet so that I can take a look from my side?

The error message is related with typo or something needs to be corrected in the syntax.

I may need to check the elements in the formula with the data in your workbook.

In addition, please share the version number of your Office 365 with me refer to this article: What version of Office am I using?

I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Best Regards

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 5

Hi, thank you for your response. 

What I meant was that Excel is not letting me subtract, add, multiple, or divide anything once I have a formula in a cell.

So for example there is a formula =SUM(whatever cells). Then I F2 to edit the formula and type "-" in order to subtract, so =SUM(whatever cells)-.

Then from there I try to exit the cell by clicking F2 again and linking to another cell. However, when I click the arrow keys to go to another cell, that's what I receive the error message.

Or another example without the SUM formula would be if I was just referencing another cell like =A27/1000. Then if I want to subtract another cell from this number, the same issue pops up.

Let me know if you have a solution to that, please!