I never understood what this partial calculation mode would be good for. It will display inconsistent results somewhere in the end after all.
No, I will not do this. But your post gave me the idea to display the formula in the cells when AutoCalc is off.
Though 'partial calculation' may not show the correct value, it serves two purposes to end user:
1. It let me know that the cell is not a blank cell (without navigating to the particular cell);
2. It helps to me check if I have entered a wrong formula. For example if A1=1 and B1=2, if I keyed into A1+B1 into C1, I would expect 3 to appear in C1. If C1 shows other value, immediately I would know I have keyed in wrong formula.
Also users may be confused if some formula cells (thosed created before the autocalc is turned off) shows value and some show blank.
I was also confused as the formula cell (with value) suddenly became blank cell when I accidentally entered into edit mode and then exit edit mode (by clicking on other cell).
IMHO showing blank is not a good choice. Your idea of showing formula might be a workable alternative (and may also sovle my next question below).
When autorecalc is off with goAlwayShowEditor option, the inplace editor will always show blank (or the value displayed in cell) . To edit the formula, I have to press ESC follwed by F2 key?