WD2000: Syntax Error in Formula Field That Uses Comma

ID: Q212193

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 2000

SYMPTOMS

When you use a formula or expression field to perform a calculation of a set of numbers, the following error message may appear:

!Syntax Error, nnn,nnn

where nnn represents the numbers in the argument.

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)}

produce the following errors:

!Syntax Error, 123,123

!Syntax Error, 123,123,1

This behavior occurs when the formula field performs the following calculations: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and PRODUCT.

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)}

produces the following result:

22,222,223

This behavior does not occur when you perform calculations based on table cell references or when using bookmarks.

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.

RESOLUTION

To resolve these problems, place a space immediately following the comma, so that your formula looks similar to the following:

{=SUM(123, 125)}

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words: field codes average maximum sum product minimum syntax error winword errors table tables calculate formula incorrect wrong

Keywords : kbdta kbfield wd2000
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug