XL97: ErrMsg to Fix Formula When Comma Is Decimal Separator

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

You may receive the following message that there is an error in a formula, even though the formula is correct:

   The formula you typed contains an error.

CAUSE

This error message may occur when you set the Decimal Symbol to be a comma (,) in the Regional Settings Properties dialog box, and then do either of the following:

• You type a number into a cell that contains digits to the right of the decimal point; for example, "1900,01" (without the quotation marks).

      -or-
  

• You type a number into a formula which contains digits to the right of the decimal point; for example, "=1900,01 * 100" (without the quotation marks).

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, install Microsoft Excel 97 Service Release 1 (SR-1).

To work around this problem, type a plus sign (+) instead of the equal sign (=) at the beginning of the formula.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 SR-1.

For additional information about SR-1, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q172475
   TITLE     : OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-1

REFERENCES

For more information about entering formulas, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   formulas, entering