How to Show Formulas in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever find yourself staring at an Excel spreadsheet, wondering what wizardry went into those cells to make them spit out those numbers? Well, wonder no more! Showing formulas in Excel is a piece of cake, and I’m here to walk you through it. After reading this brief overview, you’ll be able to see all the formulas behind those magic numbers with just a few clicks.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Show Formulas in Excel

Before we dive in, you should know that following these steps will switch your Excel from showing the results of formulas to showing the formulas themselves. It’s like taking a peek behind the curtain to see how the magic happens.

Step 1: Open your Excel workbook

Open the Excel workbook that contains the formulas you want to see.

When you open your workbook, you’ll typically see the results of any formulas you’ve entered. But we’re about to switch things up!

Step 2: Go to the ‘Formulas’ tab

Click on the ‘Formulas’ tab in the Excel ribbon, which is at the top of the window.

The ‘Formulas’ tab is where all the magic begins. It’s the gateway to unraveling the mysteries of your Excel spreadsheet.

Step 3: Click on ‘Show Formulas’

In the ‘Formula Auditing’ group, click on the ‘Show Formulas’ button.

Once you click this button, your spreadsheet will transform. Instead of results, you’ll see the actual formulas in each cell.

After completing these steps, your Excel spreadsheet will show all the formulas instead of their results. To reverse this and go back to seeing the results, simply click on ‘Show Formulas’ again.

Tips: How to Show Formulas in Excel

• If you have a lot of formulas to check, you can also use the keyboard shortcut ‘Ctrl’ + ‘`’ (grave accent) to toggle showing formulas on and off.
• Showing formulas can make your spreadsheet look a bit overwhelming, so try to use it only when you need to troubleshoot or audit formulas.
• Remember that showing formulas will also display them in the formula bar when you click on a cell.
• If you’re printing your spreadsheet, ensure that you’ve switched back to showing the results, unless you specifically want to print the formulas.
• You can also use the ‘Show Formulas’ feature to learn from other people’s spreadsheets by seeing how they’ve set up their formulas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I show formulas in just one cell?

No, the ‘Show Formulas’ feature applies to the entire worksheet. However, you can see the formula for an individual cell in the formula bar without changing the view for the whole sheet.

Will showing formulas change the way my Excel functions?

No, it won’t change how your Excel functions. It’ll just change how the information is displayed on your screen.

Can I edit formulas while they are displayed?

Yes, you can edit formulas directly in the cells while they are displayed.

Why can’t I see formulas in some cells after clicking ‘Show Formulas’?

If the cell contains a constant (like a number or text) and not a formula, it will remain unchanged when you toggle ‘Show Formulas.’

How do I hide formulas again?

Simply click the ‘Show Formulas’ button again, or use the ‘Ctrl’ + ‘`’ shortcut to revert back to showing the results of the formulas.

Summary

1. Open your Excel workbook.
2. Go to the ‘Formulas’ tab.
3. Click on ‘Show Formulas’.

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks! Showing formulas in Excel is as easy as pie, and now you’re fully equipped to do it yourself. Whether you’re double-checking your work, trying to learn from others, or just satisfying your curiosity, being able to see the formulas behind the cells is a skill that’ll serve you well. Just keep in mind that while formulas are now visible, it’s important not to get lost in the sea of functions and cell references. Remember our handy tips, and you’ll navigate the waters like a pro. Now, go forth and conquer those spreadsheets with the confidence of an Excel wizard!