XL97: ErrMsg to Fix Formula When Comma Is Decimal Separator

ID: Q171314


The information in this article applies to:
  • 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.


  • -or-

  • You type a number into a formula which contains digits to the right of the decimal point; for example, =1900,01 * 100.


NOTE: You can find Regional Settings in the Control Panel.


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:

Q172475 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
and then double-click the selected text to go to "Enter data in worksheet cells" topic.

Additional query words: incorrect formula fixer German CSV international parse

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg xlformula
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug


Last Reviewed: October 30, 1999
© 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.