Excel forumula surrounded by { } 1

[Superbaker]

I am working on an excel spreadsheet that was setup by a former employ. I am trying to duplicate a formula that was already set up but when I do, it doesnt seem to work right.
When looking at the original formula by just single clicking on the cell, the formula looks like this.

{=SUM(IF(A4:A505="HJ",IF(O4:O505="GOT",1,0)))}

It has the { } symbols surrounding the entire formula. When you try double click on the cell to edit the formula, it looks like this.

=SUM(IF(A4:A505="HJ",IF(O4:O505="GOT",1,0)))

The { } symbols go away and when I try and duplicate this formula I can't get the { } symbols in there and the formula doesn't seem to work without them. I have tried copying the cell and pasting special to include the formulas but the formula comes out like this with a single click

{=SUM(IF(#REF!="HJ",IF(#REF!="GOT",1,0)))}

and like this with a double click.

=SUM(IF(#REF!="HJ",IF(#REF!="GOT",1,0)))


Not sure what those symbols actually do. Any suggestions.

Thanks

James

 

[TonyJollans]

Hi Superbaker,

What you have is an Array Formula which works on an array of cells. To (re-)enter it you must press <Ctrl><Shift><Enter> instead of just <Enter>

Enjoy,
Tony

 

[Superbaker]

That worked perfectly.

Thanks a lot

 

[KenWright]

An Introduction to arrays that may come in useful if you are editing array formulas:-

http://cpearson.com/excel/array.htm

Regards
Ken........

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