Vlookup fails to run - just leaves the equation in the cell ???

[sleepdoc]

I am using a Vlookup equation that works perfect in 3 cells (it is looking up a date associated with a name. it is looking up a date in column 5, 6 and 7. but when i try to use THE EXACT SAME VLOOKUP EQUATION to bring back something else, it just fails. it just shows the equation, equals sign an all, in the cell instead of running the cell. any ideas?

I would be eternally grateful

Sleepdoc

 

[Michael M]

Sounds like you have the cell formatted as Text !!

 

[sleepdoc]

God i love Mr. Excel. thank you. I'm rusty with Vlookup.

Curiously, why cant a vlookup be text?

 

[Michael M]

It's not the VLOOKUP, it's the actual cell.
When it is formatted as Text, anything typed in the cell is shown as typed, as text....not the formula it's meant to be !!!