Solving Excel 2003 Problem: Entries Not Showing in Formula Bar

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I have a wierdness with Excel 2003 and I can not figure out how to get rid of it:

Problem: The entries in a cell do not show up in the formula bar.

Particulars:
1) If I have an equation in a cell, the equation will show up only if I highlight the cell and then put my cursor in the formula bar.

2) Anything other than an equation, i.e. text or numbers, nothing shows up at all, even if I do what I do in 1) above.

3) If I double click in the cell, I the entry in the cell is editable (the only thing saving me right now).

I have spent the last 2 days going over the options and can not find anything except the "edit directly in cells" option which has no effect. I do not like editing in the cell directly. With long equations, it is difficult to read.

Anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of this? I am borderline asking the IT folks to come down and reinstall Excel for me.

Thanks.
 
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Sounds like it could be a protected spreadsheet? Does it happen with all spreadsheets, or just one in particular?

Here's some info:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP051998111033.aspx

It does sound peculiar - I can't say I've ever experienced that.

Hope this helps...

-Kerry
 
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I think it may have something to do with a protected or shared worksheet, but I have tried all of those options as well and no dice. I bet that I worked in a shared or protected sheet at one time and the settings for that sheet have partially migrated over to my options. It is really weird.

Thanks for the help though.