Hello, I want to make a calculation using values from another cell but it gives the error "expected number but found chain".
content of B2: 5*2*3
content of B3: =B2
How can I make it compute B2 ?
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
I'm a bit suspicious that this may not be a question about Numbers. Chain is not term that I've ever seen used with respect to Numbers.
Could you tell us more about what you are trying to calculate?
Jerry
Well in French it said "chaine", it might be string in your version.
B3 should show the volume and B2 should show each dimensions (basic multiplication)
OK then, it would be a good idea to expand your calculation:
You could do this:
Jerry
That's what I wanted to avoid having to do. Isn't there another way ?
You could write: =5*2*3 in any cell.
Jerry
You are trying to convert a string that looks like a formula (contained in cell B2) and have the result of the formula be calculated in cell B3, right?
Two ideas:
Idea 1: If you format B2 as text then enter the text =5*2*3 then change the cell format to Automatic, it will do the calculation in cell B2. You can convert it back to text to see the formula again.
Idea 2: Use an Applescript. The Applescript would copy the string from B2, put the "=" at the beginning and put it into B3. B3 will calculate the result. You can design the script to do this for multiple sets of cells. An example is below for you to try out. If you like it we can make it so it can be started with a keyboard command. Not quite sure how we'll stop it with a keyboard command, though
tell application "Numbers" to tell document 1 to tell sheet 1 to tell table 1
set vold to ""
repeat
set vnew to ("=" & value of cell "B2")
if vold ≠ vnew then
set value of cell "b3" to vnew
set vold to vnew
end if
end repeat
end tell
I'll choose idea 1, thanks. (done)
How to use a chain in a formula ?
