One example is when you accidentally trigger the scroll lock feature.

Another example is when one or more formulas suddenly stops working.

Instead of a result, you see only a formula, as in the screen below.

Show Formulas is mean to give you a quick way to see all formulas in a worksheet.

However, if you accidentally trigger this mode, it can be quite disorienting.

With Show Formulas enabled, columns are widened, and every formula in a worksheet is displayed with no results anywhere in sight, as shown in the screens below.

If you are having trouble with a single formula, the problem isnt Show Formulas.

If you leave this out, Excel will simply treat the formula as text.

Sometimes, when people mention a formula online, they will use quotes, like this.

In this case, the formula above requires quotes around criteria.

If you run into a formula like this, check to see if the cell format is set to Text.

You may need to enter cell edit mode (click into the formula bar, or use F2, then enter) to get Excel to recognize the format change.

Normally, if you try to enter a formula in an unfinished state, Excel will throw an error, stopping you from entering the formula.

However, if you add a single apostrophe before the equal sign Excel will treat the formula as text and let you enter without complaint.

The single quote reminds you that the formula has been intentionally converted to text.

We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.

Excel For Mac Not Updating Formulas