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After inserting a vlookup formula in a Google spreadsheet, where the array parameter references acolumns of a pivot table, how do I edit the formula again?

When I enter the formula, it just displays the value returned by the formula, and I can't seem to find a way to view or edit the original vlookup formula.

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Please share the docs with us (edit modus) – Jacob Jan Tuinstra Jan 6 at 20:39
sorry, I can't data is sensitive. however it must be something with my specific worksheet as when I tried to create a sample one showing the same issue it just worked. maybe related to my having hebrew names to the sheets or the vlookup being across sheets, I will try to create a smaple. – epeleg Jan 6 at 20:43
I was finally able to replicate the issue on a test worksheet. The missing part was that this happens only when the array parameter of the VLOOKUP formula references columns of a pivot table. – epeleg Jan 7 at 9:02
And Yet another UPDATE: The same happens if you use =Indirect("B1") where B1 is inside a pivot table. – epeleg Jan 7 at 9:08

migrated from superuser.com Jan 6 at 20:23

2 Answers

up vote 0 down vote

Press F2 (when in cell) on the keyboard or double click in the cell itself.

See example file I created: VLOOKUP

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This works for other cells not the cells that have the vlookup inside them. – epeleg Jan 6 at 20:38
@epeleg: example added – Jacob Jan Tuinstra Jan 6 at 20:47
As I already commented on the Q. I realize that this is not a general issue. but still it does happen to me. I will try to create an example that will demonstrate the issue. – epeleg Jan 7 at 6:59
I was finally able to replicate the issue on a test worksheet. The missing part was that this happens only when the array parameter of the VLOOKUP formula references columns of a pivot table. – epeleg just now – epeleg Jan 7 at 9:02
up vote 0 down vote

I had this same issue. I did a workaround which seems to work fine for me.

Instead of using something like 

=vlookup(A2,BOM!A:B, 2,0)

I just added a +0 at the end as my lookup was returning an integer.

So when I put 

=vlookup(A2,BOM!A:B, 2,0)+0

it works fine for me and my vlookup is now editable.

Also, if you already have a vlookup you may need to delete it and then reenter it.

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