Solved: using "--"

[tkaplan]

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]

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]

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]

thank you! i'll read through tonight and post any questions I have.

[tkaplan]

read through the articles. very clearly written. thank you.
so question:
what's the difference between using --(...) and using value(...)?

thanks,

[Bob Phillips]

Try

=VALUE(TRUE)

[tkaplan]

got it.
thanks.
u guys are awsome