I have been using Excel for a specific purpose since about 1990 and every
version since. It is a spreadsheet with many embedded formulas which,
fortunately, have worked in all versions of Excel.
I am absolutely puzzled by the default behavior of Excel 2007 with regard to
text entry.
When entering data into a cell the typing appears in the formula bar and the
cursor appears in the cell but no text. There is no cursor in the formula
bar while typing. I have to deliberately place the cursor in the formula
bar with the mouse to correct a typing error. If entering a text item that
has previously appeared in the same column the cell goes black to indicate
the auto-fill option.
I have no idea why this should be the default behavior, but I also have no
idea why anyone would think that throwing out 17 years of Excel usage
methods in favor of The Ribbon of Abomination would be a good idea.
How do you set Excel so that what you type shows up in the cell as well as
the formula bar and so that auto-fill items show up in the cell after the
first few letters have been typed? How do you get Excel 2007 to behave like
Excel 2003 for entering data?

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:54:39 -0700, "Nogginsaked" <fac_187@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I have been using Excel for a specific purpose since about 1990 and every
>version since. It is a spreadsheet with many embedded formulas which,
>fortunately, have worked in all versions of Excel.
>I am absolutely puzzled by the default behavior of Excel 2007 with regard to
>text entry.
>When entering data into a cell the typing appears in the formula bar and the
>cursor appears in the cell but no text. There is no cursor in the formula
>bar while typing. I have to deliberately place the cursor in the formula
>bar with the mouse to correct a typing error. If entering a text item that
>has previously appeared in the same column the cell goes black to indicate
>the auto-fill option.
>I have no idea why this should be the default behavior, but I also have no
>idea why anyone would think that throwing out 17 years of Excel usage
>methods in favor of The Ribbon of Abomination would be a good idea.
>How do you set Excel so that what you type shows up in the cell as well as
>the formula bar and so that auto-fill items show up in the cell after the
>first few letters have been typed? How do you get Excel 2007 to behave like
>Excel 2003 for entering data?

I didn't change any of the basic options when I installed Excel 2007 and, when
I type an entry, it appears in BOTH the cell and the formula bar
simultaneously. There is an option (Excel Options/Advanced/Editing Options)
regarding "allow editing directly in cells", but I don't see any option that
would leave the cell blank while entering the formula.

Could it be some kind of system problem? video driver?
--ron

Data entry behavior did not change in Excel 2007 but its use of video
apparently did. Quite a few people are having issues, mainly with the
highlighting of selected ranges. If you can get a newer video driver for
your card I'd try that. Also you might try changing your settings like
refresh rate, resolution, anything ...

--
Jim
"Nogginsaked" <fac_187@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:C9F34932-1448-403E-98B8-EADB999DB674@microsoft.com...
>I have been using Excel for a specific purpose since about 1990 and every
>version since. It is a spreadsheet with many embedded formulas which,
>fortunately, have worked in all versions of Excel.
> I am absolutely puzzled by the default behavior of Excel 2007 with regard
> to text entry.
> When entering data into a cell the typing appears in the formula bar and
> the cursor appears in the cell but no text. There is no cursor in the
> formula bar while typing. I have to deliberately place the cursor in the
> formula bar with the mouse to correct a typing error. If entering a text
> item that has previously appeared in the same column the cell goes black
> to indicate the auto-fill option.
> I have no idea why this should be the default behavior, but I also have no
> idea why anyone would think that throwing out 17 years of Excel usage
> methods in favor of The Ribbon of Abomination would be a good idea.
> How do you set Excel so that what you type shows up in the cell as well as
> the formula bar and so that auto-fill items show up in the cell after the
> first few letters have been typed? How do you get Excel 2007 to behave
> like Excel 2003 for entering data?