XL5: Cells to the Right of Data Table Do Not Calculate

• Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0, and Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0, formulas located in cells directly to the right of a data table may not recalculate.

CAUSE

This problem only occurs in those cells located directly to the right of the data table. This problem does not occur when there is a column between the table and the cells containing the formulas.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, insert a column between the data table and the cells containing the formulas which fail to update. You can then delete the column that was inserted and the cells should continue to recalculate properly.

To insert a column, select any cell in the column directly to the right of the data table and choose Columns from the Insert menu. After inserting the column you should notice that the formulas recalculate properly. Delete the inserted column by selecting any cell in that column and choosing Delete from the Edit menu. Select the option for "Entire column" and choose OK. The formulas should continue to update properly even though they are now in their original location.

You can also work around this problem by inserting and then deleting a column between the formulas and the data table.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0, Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows, and Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.