Final Friday Fix: March 2024 Challenge

On the final Friday of each month, we set an Excel / Power Pivot / Power Query / Power BI problem for you to puzzle over for the weekend.  On the Monday, we publish a solution.  If you think there is an alternative answer, feel free to email us.  We’ll feel free to ignore you.

The Challenge

This month, we thought we would raise a challenge that some of you may have already come across – and solved.  However, it’s not just that we’re lazy: we think this is a worthwhile problem because once you know how to solve this, you’ll feel smug when you become that “office guru” who solves a similar problem for their colleague.  You’ll be able to dine out on the success, fame and fortune that comes along with such an illustrious feat for, oh I don’t know, milliseconds.

Consider the following example:

You can download the original question file here.  As you will see, in cell F12 (pictured) we have the formula

Admittedly, not the most challenging calculation we have ever put to proverbial paper, but why the heck is it not calculating?  Similarly, why aren’t the other two formulae in cells F13 and F14 calculating either?

This month’s challenge is simple.  Fix it as simply as possible (without duplicating the formula elsewhere and deleting these cells!). 

Sounds easy?  Then why not have a go?  We’ll publish one solution in Monday’s blog.  Have a great weekend in the meantime!