There has to be a simple answer

[ThatOneDude]

I am using a spreadsheet that I didn't create and I'm adapting it to my needs. I keep getting the error message that says "When the first character is an equal or minus sign, Excel thinks it's a formula" but what I'm typing doesn't begin with either of those.

I'm trying to type some combination of numbers and text. For example, I want to type "30 gallon" in the cell and I get the error. It will let me type "30" with no problem. It will let me type "gallon" with no problem. However, if I start with a number and then add text afterwards, such as "30 gallon", I get the error.

I opened one of my other spreadsheets to compare. Everything appears to be the same.....cells formatted as "General", same font, same font size, same color, same everything.....my sheet works fine but this other one throws the error. I can add the apostrophe in front or format the cell as text to get around this but I shouldn't have to do that since I'm not using an equals sign or minus sign. Also I'd like to know why this is the only workbook having this issue. I'd like to know how to fix the issue rather than just how to get around it.

Someone please tell me there's a simple setting to correct this.

 

[Fluff]

Goto File, Options, advanced, then scroll down to the bottom & uncheck the "Transition formula entry" box

 

[ThatOneDude]

I knew there had to be a setting somewhere. Thank you for saving my sanity!

 

[Fluff]

You're welcome & thanks for the feedback.