WD: "!Syntax Error, [" in Table Formula

ID: Q120868

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1
Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

The error message "!Syntax Error, [" appears in a table when a formula field includes certain formula functions and refers to table cells with A1 notation.

CAUSE

Function references to table cells are not in row/column notation.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Word.

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

Method 1

Use row/column notation. In this notation, each cell is identified by the letter R and the row number, and the letter C and the column number. For example, cell A1 is called R1C1. Cell B2 is R2C2, cell D15 is R15C4, and so on.

For example, you would change this formula

             { =abs(B4) }

to this:

             { =abs(R4C2) }

Method 2

Apply a bookmark to the contents of the cell you want and refer to

it rather than using the cell reference.

NOTE: you must include only the contents of the cell when you apply the bookmark. If you highlight the entire cell, you get unpredictable results in the formula result.

STATUS

This problem was corrected in Word 97 and Word 98 Macintosh Edition.

MORE INFORMATION

The following functions do not require the use of row/column notation (A1 notation can be used):

   average
   count
   max
   min
   product
   sum

The following functions require the use of row/column notation:

   abs
   and
   int
   mod
   not
   or
   round
   sign

Additional query words: 6formula equation table cell reference row column bookmark calculate calculation

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbfield kbformula winword macword word6 word7 word95 
Version           : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a;WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

Last Reviewed: February 7, 1998