WD: Plus Sign Causes Incorrect Result in Formula

ID: Q146646

The information in this article applies to:

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

SYMPTOMS

When you calculate the sum of a series of cells that contain numbers preceded by a plus (+) sign, the result is incorrectly shown as the sum of the negative numbers contained in the series or may be shown as zero when each of the numbers in the series is preceded by a plus sign.

 -or-

When you calculate the average of a series of cells that contain numbers preceded by a plus (+) sign, the result is incorrectly shown as the average of the negative numbers or may be shown as 0.0 when each of the numbers in the series is preceded by a plus sign.

WORKAROUND

Method 1: Remove the Plus Signs

The plus sign is not required by Word to identify the number as positive.

Method 2: Move the Plus Signs to a New Column

Add a column to your table, move the plus signs to the new column, and then update the formula field.

NOTE: Do not move the negative signs to the new column, or your formula field result will be incorrect.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed above.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q142507
   TITLE     : WD: How to Set Up a Table as a Spreadsheet in Word

Additional query words: math wrong

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbfield kbformula winword macword 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     : kbpending

Last Reviewed: January 22, 1999