Accidental logic error when trying to type in the formula
=5+3-2/6*12 |
In this example, the user probably did not mean to type an equal sign
between the 3 and the 2. But it so happens that EXCEL can do this trick!
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Note: the example illustrates an unintended result. But the
outcome is explained below, for the curious.
The first = sign says "this is a formula".
But once that is established, the next transforms the formula
into a comparison between (5+3) and (2/6*12), asking if those
two equations are equal. They aren't, so the whole thing evaluates
to a value of the logical data type which expresses the answer
to the question. In this case: FALSE, because (5+3) is not equal
to (2/6*12).
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Using the wrong number (accidentally).
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The labels in row one suggest this user wanted to see 10% of the value
in A2 appear in C2. If so, this is a logic error.
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Per cent -- one wizard too many?
This error is easy to commit by mistake. Type
a 10 into B2. Then click on the % button in the format tool bar.
You will see what you get here. Why? The % button is too clever
(or too stupid I suppose, depending on your point of view.) It
applied per cent formatting according to its own ideas of what
is right. You can fix it by changing the value in B2 to .10
instead of 10. Note, also, that this is one
of the very few exceptions in EXCEL when the true value of a cell
does not display in the formula bar. Again, this was probably
done to make things intuitive for novices ... and tends to irritate
experienced users, since it is an anomaly.
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