Dear johann, The -- is used as an unary operator to convert a boolean value ie, TRUE/FALSE in to 1/0. Sumproduct for example does not evaluate non-numeric values that results in a formula like the boolean results in the array equation A1:A10="johann".
So to negate this, we use unary operator -- with TRUE or FALSE to give 1 or 0 We can also use ++ ,+0,*1 In fact you can also use a multiplier or a divisor of 1 In case you'd like more information, look up in google. Here's something from an Excel MVP http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/formulae/doubleneg.html On Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 5:24 AM, johann <josle...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Cyberspace, > > I'd like to understand the meaning of "--" in front of an Excel > function like : > =--sumproduct(...) > =--substitute(...) > ... and other I can't recall > > I know that in some programming language it's a way to "decrement" a > variable like i = i - 1 can be i-- or --i following the precedence of > the operator --. > > Thanks, > Cyberuser > > -- > FORUM RULES (986+ members already BANNED for violation) > > 1) Use concise, accurate thread titles. Poor thread titles, like Please > Help, Urgent, Need Help, Formula Problem, Code Problem, and Need Advice > will not get quick attention or may not be answered. > > 2) Don't post a question in the thread of another member. > > 3) Don't post questions regarding breaking or bypassing any security > measure. > > 4) Acknowledge the responses you receive, good or bad. > > 5) Cross-promotion of, or links to, forums competitive to this forum in > signatures are prohibited. > > NOTE : Don't ever post personal or confidential data in a workbook. Forum > owners and members are not responsible for any loss. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > To post to this group, send email to excel-macros@googlegroups.com > -- Thanks & regards, Noorain Ansari *http://noorainansari.com/* <http://excelmacroworld.blogspot.com/> *http://excelmacroworld.blogspot.com/*<http://excelmacroworld.blogspot.com/> -- FORUM RULES (986+ members already BANNED for violation) 1) Use concise, accurate thread titles. Poor thread titles, like Please Help, Urgent, Need Help, Formula Problem, Code Problem, and Need Advice will not get quick attention or may not be answered. 2) Don't post a question in the thread of another member. 3) Don't post questions regarding breaking or bypassing any security measure. 4) Acknowledge the responses you receive, good or bad. 5) Cross-promotion of, or links to, forums competitive to this forum in signatures are prohibited. NOTE : Don't ever post personal or confidential data in a workbook. Forum owners and members are not responsible for any loss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ To post to this group, send email to excel-macros@googlegroups.com
