Using = to replicate cell contents from another cell - problem on Mac

Question

I am working on Excel for Mac and like to use the = function to have the same cell contents shown in another area of the same sheet or sometimes from a cell in a different tab. Sometimes the cell contents are shown and sometimes the cell address is shown. i.e.='Move out trash list 2025'!A3. I have tried to find an answer before and received suggestions of making sure both cells are the same type - i.e text, number, etc. Even when I do that it is not always the solution. It is very frustrating as it will not work - on example - cell A3 and it will work on A5. It drives me crazy! Please help me understand what is happening and how to fix it. TIA

Answer 1

Thank you! I think what was missing from an earlier search answer, was to make the cell a General type BEFORE putting in the formula.

Answer 2

Please provide the present Version Numbers of both macOS & Office. Any additional detail also may be useful, such as whether one specific workbook is affected or whether others demonstrate the same behavior.

Answer 3

When a formula like ='Move out trash list 2025'!A3 sometimes shows the value and sometimes shows the text of the formula itself, Excel is treating the cell as text instead of as a formula.

On Excel for Mac, this usually happens for one of these reasons:

1. The cell was formatted as Text before the formula was entered.
2. The formula was entered with a leading apostrophe ' (for example, '=A3), which forces Excel to treat it as text.
3. The equal sign = is missing, or there is some other character before it.

To fix existing cells that show the formula instead of the result:

1. Select the problem cell (for example, A3).
2. On the Home tab, change the cell format to General or the appropriate type (Number, Date, etc.).
3. Click in the Formula Bar, make sure the formula starts with = and does not start with '.
4. Press Enter to re-confirm the formula.

To avoid the problem in new cells:

1. Before typing the formula, set the cell format to General.
2. Type the formula starting with = (for example, ='Move out trash list 2025'!A3).
3. Press Enter.

If formulas still do not calculate when filled or copied, verify that automatic calculation is turned on:

1. On the Excel menu, select Preferences.
2. Select Calculation.
3. Under Calculation Options, ensure Automatic is selected.

Also ensure formulas are syntactically correct and start with = as required for Excel for Mac.

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References:

• How to fix formula errors in Excel for Mac
• Copy a formula by dragging the fill handle in Excel for Mac