WD: SUM Formula Does Not Update Correctly

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

The SUM formula field may update incorrectly if text exists in a cell of a row or column when using one of the following predefined formula fields:

   =SUM(LEFT)
   =SUM(RIGHT)
   =SUM(BELOW)
   =SUM(ABOVE)

   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |      2      |      3      | =SUM(LEFT)  |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |      2      |    TEXT     | =SUM(LEFT)  |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |    TEXT     |      3      | =SUM(LEFT)  |
   ---------------------------------------------------------

   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |      2      |      3      |      6      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |      2      |     TEXT    |      3      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |    TEXT     |      3      |      3      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------

CAUSE

By design, when the SUM function, using one of the predefined arguments (LEFT, RIGHT, ABOVE, or BELOW), is interrupted by a text-filled cell in the table, it performs the calculation up to that point. When the text-filled cell is immediately adjacent to the formula, the SUM function begins looking at the figures on the other side of the text.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

Specify a range of cells in your formula, for example:

   {=sum(a1:a3)}

Method 2

Specify a series of cells in your formula, for example:

   {=sum(a1,a2,a3)}