WD: Syntax Error in Formula Field That Uses Comma Separator

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When using a formula or expression field to perform a calculation of a set of numbers, you may receive the following error message

   !Syntax Error, xxx,xxx

This error occurs when two or more numbers are separated by a comma without a space and the second and subsequent numbers are three or more digits. For example, the following expressions

   {=sum(123,123)}
   {=sum(123,123,123)}

   !Syntax Error, 123,123
   !Syntax Error, 123,123,123

If the expression contains a series of three or more numbers, the second number is one or two digits, and each number is separated by a comma without a space, your results will be inaccurate, and you will not get a syntax error. For example, the following expression

     {=sum(1,22,222,222)}

     22,222,223

CAUSE

When the comma is not followed by a space but is followed by three digits, Word interprets the comma as being the thousands-place separator and treats the argument as one number.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word versions listed above. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

RESOLUTION

Place a space immediately following the comma, so that your formula looks like.

   {=SUM(123, 125)}