Excel Formula Hack: Start Formulas With A Symbol!

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[@Nuggets_Of_Dino]

This explains why I can't simply enter + as text at the start of a cell

[@silvestrecamposano6317]

Thanks so much for the new topic!..

[@krimbos1]

I have always used + sign to enter formulas. Lately I have noticed it can lead to problems when copying cells

[@michaelkuhn6328]

Old time spreadsheet use here - I think I remember using @ to start formula in Lotus, such as @sum(a1..a3).

[@mattnyman9933]

That still works

[@cherylvisconti]

True

[@aloobi]

I always use plus because the plus sign key is bigger and easier to find on a typical keyboard. People keep asking me why I do that. I once did a test to see its impact on the file size. No impact. If I remember correctly, the file size was actually smaller.

[@FilmscoreMetaler]

My predecessor used this absolutely everywhere. Took me years to get rid of each instance of "=+" in every excel file. I can't stand redundancies in my formulas.

[@entireazerbaijanentireazer1120]

Perfect! Just would like to know what software you use to record your screen. if possible

[@bhaggoporiksha2940]

❤❤❤

[@danyos777]

Does the plus sign could affect advance setups such as calculations, VBA codes, pívot tables, or dashboards?
As a user accustomed to using keyboard short cuts, I’d like to use the plus sing instead of the equal, but I’m concerned it could affect something.

[@francescoanastasio2021]

Not really

[@LG-lo1bc]

Love the Twin Peaks Easter Egg d$2)m good pie 🥧

[@icarusflying1814]

I start formulae with a + or - because those exist near the number pad section of the keyboard and = is next to backspace.
Nothing to do with Lotus123

[@premlaljaisinghbisukarma1832]

My era program Lotus 123

[@jacquiblue3006]

why would you do this instead of just =

[@aloobi]

Because the plus key is easier to locate on a typical keyboard. It's usually bigger and on the extreme right side. I think I have saved a day of my life doing this 😂
If you use the keyboard, it's a different story.

[@icarusflying1814]

@@aloobitotally agree. Using your right hand to hit + is more reliable than finding = if you work without looking at the keyboard

[@mrhoneystinger3676]

I used to work with lotus 1-2-3 and Lotus Notes.
Formulas in Lotus began with an @
Example @sum(a1:a10)
Subsequently in Lotus you could create formulas like +123+123 instead of =123+123