Excel: Crosstab Returns "Invalid Value in GROUP Field"

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a

SYMPTOMS

If you are using the Crosstab ReportWizard, and you are grouping items by a numeric constraint, you may receive the following error message when you attempt to enter the constraint:

   Invalid value in GROUP field

CAUSE

This problem will occur if the number format applied to the data in the spreadsheet is not at same the level of precision, or at a higher level of precision, as the numeric constraint.

This situation occurs regardless of whether you are using a built-in or a custom number format.

WORKAROUND

Format the values to have the same number or a greater number of decimal places as the value you specify for the constraint value.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel version 4.0 for Windows. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

In the Crosstab ReportWizard you select row and column categories. In these categories you can select how to group the results of the crosstab report by entering the group constraint in the In Groups Of field. In Microsoft Excel for Windows, if you enter a value that contains decimal places that are not displayed in the worksheet database, you will receive an error message.

This problem does not occur in Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh.