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tkaplan
06-16-2009, 05:32 AM
just a general question as I see this in a lot of formulas posted here. when and why would one put "--" before a parameter in a formula?

thanks,
t

GTO
06-16-2009, 05:58 AM
Hi t,

I would suggest reading and studying 'SUMPRODUCT Step by Step', parts 1, 2, and 3, in the SUMPRODUCT and Other Array Functions. While your question pertains to the double unary usage and not necessarily SUMPRODUCT, I find Bob's discourse immensely helpful.

Mark

Bob Phillips
06-16-2009, 06:41 AM
As further explanation, the double unary is used to coerce a numeric string or a boolean to its numeric equivalent, --True is 1, --"2009-06-16" is the numeric value of 16th June 2009.

There is also further information at http://www.xldynamic.com/source/xld.SUMPRODUCT.html

tkaplan
06-16-2009, 12:09 PM
thank you! i'll read through tonight and post any questions I have.

tkaplan
06-17-2009, 01:58 PM
read through the articles. very clearly written. thank you.
so question:
what's the difference between using --(...) and using value(...)?

thanks,

Bob Phillips
06-17-2009, 03:05 PM
Try

=VALUE(TRUE)

tkaplan
06-17-2009, 05:19 PM
got it.
thanks.
u guys are awsome :)