Formula Not Calculating in Google Sheets
What it means: Google Sheets is treating your formula as text, or isn't refreshing it, so you see the raw formula or a stale value instead of a computed result.
Quick fix
=A1+B1
Select the cell, set Format → Number → Automatic, then re-enter the formula starting with <code>=</code>. It should calculate immediately.
Why you see Formula not calculating — and how to fix each cause
1. The cell is formatted as Plain text
If a cell's format is Plain text, Sheets shows the formula literally instead of running it.
Fix: Select the cell, choose Format → Number → Automatic (or Number), then press Enter on the formula again to re-evaluate it.
2. The formula is missing its leading equals sign
Without a starting = (or +), Sheets treats the entry as text.
Fix: Edit the cell and add = at the very front.
3. “Show formulas” view is turned on
The View → Show formulas toggle (Ctrl+`) displays every formula as text across the sheet.
Fix: Press Ctrl+` again, or uncheck View → Show formulas.
4. Recalculation is set to a slower trigger
Volatile functions (NOW, TODAY, RAND) only refresh on the schedule set in settings.
Fix: Open File → Settings → Calculation and set recalculation to “On change” (and a frequency if you use volatile functions).
Before and after
| Broken | Working |
|---|---|
A1+B1 (no equals sign → shown as text) |
=A1+B1 |
A formula must start with = (or +). Re-enter it after fixing the cell format.
How to stop it happening again
Keep formula cells on Automatic or Number format (not Plain text), always start formulas with =, and leave View → Show formulas off during normal work.
FAQ
Why is my formula showing as text?
The cell is almost certainly formatted as Plain text, or “Show formulas” (Ctrl+`) is on. Switch the format to Automatic and re-enter the formula.
Why won't my formula update when I change the data?
Check File → Settings → Calculation. If it's not set to “On change”, or the value depends on a volatile function, it may only refresh on a schedule.
→ Google Sheets formulas cheat sheet — 34 copy-paste formulas