Why is my friend's QuattroPro doing this?

[alfredo]

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. It could be trying to use a different character set in those cells

Or, the Arial font could be somehow corrupted. It's definitely a display issue because I can see that the formula shows correctly above on the toolbar. All those weird characters appear to be replacing a single dollar sign (if my assumptions about the cells are correct).

From looking at the spreadsheet, it might be worthwhile for your friend to invest in Quickbooks. They even have a free "starter" version that I saw advertised on TV the other day that would probably be sufficient for something like this.

[alfredo]

2. Thank you. I will pass that tip on to him.

[canetoad]

3. Maybe he could try

Changing the Excel default font to something else. Go to tools, options, general tab and change the font to something similar, say Sans Serif. Restart Excel and see what happens.

[alfredo]

4. I suggested he do that too. I couldn't tell him where they might be

because I know Linux and OSX, not Windows.

Thanks for giving the path.

This guy is a real smart guy and no technophobe, but he has a real hard time with tasks like importing bookmarks and simple trial and error solution. I've thought of getting a cheap Win box so I can help him better.

He wants to put a dollar sign in the field with numbers. I think that could be part of the problem. The fields are either text or numbers. Maybe he should add a field for the currency designation.

[canetoad]

5. Tell him to select the block of cells

that he wishes to be shown as dollars. Highlight it, then click on the $ symbol in formatting toolbar. Job is done for him.

On edit: I just noticed that he has the currency formatting drop-down window on the toolbar. He already knows!

[alfredo]

6. He said changing fonts didn't work, but it did change the character of

the garbage. I will wait and see how the latest round of e-mails work out.

[canetoad]

7. Long, long shot

and I doubt if it's applicable. Has he checked his language and regional settings?

[alfredo]

8. I will ask him.