Formulas · original practice scenario
Evaluate a selected formula fragment
A1 contains 12, A2 contains 8 and B1 contains =SUM(A1:A2)*2.
Start here: Windows formula edit mode; a complete expression selected in the formula bar
Enter commits the replacement and removes that part of the formula. Use Esc when you only want to inspect it.
Follow these instructions in your own desktop Excel workbook. This page explains the operation; it does not send commands to Excel.
Windows keys and context
F9 evaluates the selected fragment here. Outside edit mode, F9 has a different calculation scope.
F9
Replace part of a formula with its calculated value. Microsoft reference ↗
Walk through the operation
- Edit B1 in the formula bar and select only SUM(A1:A2).
- Press F9 to inspect that fragment.
- Press Esc to leave the original formula intact.
Instruction 1 of 3: Edit B1 in the formula bar and select only SUM(A1:A2).
Expected result: The selected fragment temporarily displays 20; after Esc the original formula remains.
Recall the keys
Which listed Windows combination or sequence starts this operation in the context above?
Related walkthroughs
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Catalog updated 2026-10-18. US keyboard notation: + joins held keys; commas separate successive presses. Function keys may require Fn. Desktop instructions are separate from this browser's own keyboard shortcuts.