Microsoft KB Archive/58231

{| = Excel: Values Not Shown in Cells, But Seen in Formula Bar =
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Last reviewed: November 2, 1994

Article ID: Q58231

SUMMARY
Several factors can cause a number not to show in a Microsoft Excel cell, though it still shows in the formula bar when that cell is selected. Check for the following:


 * 1) The column width is too small. Usually this results in &quot;##&quot; showing in the cell, but when the column is too narrow for the # sign, nothing shows. In the default font (Geneva 10), this width is 1.14. If you are using a single digit, the column can be even narrower and still show data.
 * 2) The number format of the cell is incorrect. If the positive, negative, or zero number format is left blank (such as the format &quot;;;&quot; [semicolon semicolon]), the number will not display.
 * 3) The number format of the cell is white. A color can be applied as part of a number format. If the color white is applied by a format (for example, [White]General), the value does will display in the cell.
 * 4) The cell is filled with white. If you choose Font from Format menu and select white under Color, the data will not appear.
 * 5) The cell is equal to zero. If the cell is equal to zero as the result of a formula or if a zero is typed in, and Zero Values is turned off in the Display dialog box (on the Options menu), the cell appears to be blank.
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