ID: Q142507
The information in this article applies to:
This article describes how to create simple spreadsheets in Microsoft Word, using tables and the Formula (=) field. In these spreadsheets, you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide values entered in cells.
Individual cells are referenced by column letter and row number in the form of "A1" where A represents the column and 1 represents the row. For example, A2 refers to the cell located in the first column second row. To select a row only, the syntax would be "2:2," and to select a column the syntax would be "A:A."
NOTE: All of the examples in this article refer to the following table and can be placed in any blank cell in the table:
Row Column
---- ---------
A B C
-------------
1 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
-------------
2 | 7 | 3 | 6 |
-------------
3 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
-------------
4 | | | |
-------------
1. Place your insertion point into the blank cell A4.
2. On the Table menu, click Formula.
3. Under Formula, an automated formula (=SUM(ABOVE)) is shown. You can
delete that entry and enter any type of formula as shown in the
next section of this article.
the list.
Addition:
Use a formula Result from
To do this similar to this the sample
------------------------------------------------------------
Add a number to a cell =(A1) + 3 5
Add two adjacent cells =SUM(A1:A2) 9
-or-
=(A1+A2)
Add two non-adjacent cells =(A1+A3) 10
Add a range of cells =SUM(B:B) 9
-or-
=SUM(B1:B3)
Use a formula Result from
To do this similar to this the sample
------------------------------------------------------------
Subtract a number from a cell =(A1)- 3 1
Subtract two cells =(A3-B2) 5
Use a formula Result from
To do this similar to this the sample
---------------------------------------------------------------
Multiply a number by a cell =(A1)* 3 6
Multiply two adjacent cells =PRODUCT(A1:A2) 14
Multiply two non-adjacent cells =PRODUCT(A1,A3) 16
Multiply a range of cells =PRODUCT(B:B) 15
-or-
=PRODUCT(B1:B2)
Use a formula Result from
To do this similar to this the sample
------------------------------------------------------------
Divide a number by a cell =(A1)/3 .67
Divide two cells =C2/A1 3
Syntax:
Unlike earlier versions of Word, individual cell references do not
need to be enclosed in brackets and parentheses. However, cell ranges,
which are separated with a colon such as (A1:A6), must be enclosed in
parentheses.
If the cells are in a contiguous block (they cover a rectangular area),
you can shorten the reference to them. For instance, the eight-cell
area from A1 to D2 can be referenced as A1:D2.
When you add or multiply nonadjacent cells, you can refer to each cell
individually, or you can separate the references themselves with commas.
NOTE: You can use commas only with the Sum and Product functions.
For example, these formulas are equivalent:
Sum Example
-----------
{=SUM(A1) + SUM(C2) + SUM(B2)}
{=SUM(A1,C2,B2)}
Product Example
---------------
{=PRODUCT(A1) + PRODUCT(C2) + PRODUCT(B2)}
{=PRODUCT(A1,C2,B2)}
When you subtract or divide nonadjacent cells, you must refer to each
cell separately (that is, you cannot use commas), as in the following
examples:
{=SUM(A1) - SUM(C2) - SUM(B3)}
{=SUM(A1) / SUM(C2) / SUM(B3)}
Relative references are useful when you want a generic formula that
doesn't refer to specific cells. You can add and delete rows and
maintain a correct result. Relative references are also useful when you
don't want to retype a formula. For instance, if you want each cell in
the fifth column to contain the sum of the numbers of the first four
columns in the same row, you can use a relative reference. In this
example, the field would resemble the following:
{=SUM(LEFT)}
You can also combine relative references with absolute references
(references to a specific cell).
You can apply a bookmark to the contents of any cell or field and use
that bookmark in a calculation. This can often simplify the construction
of other fields and can save typing.
For example, if you apply a bookmark called "Quantity_Sold" to the
contents of cell A3, you can refer to it in another cell.
{=Quantity_Sold*.10}
{=Quantity_Sold*SUM(B2)}
{=Quantity_Sold*Commission}
If you refer to an entire row or column and place the field within that
range, Word includes the field result in the calculation. Each time you
update the calculation, it will include itself in the result. This
produces a different result (even if none of the other numbers in the
row or column have changed) and yields unreliable results.
Examples of the Type of Field to Avoid
--------------------------------------
{=SUM(C:C)} adds the entire column, including the result. Each time
you update this field, the result is the sum of the column plus the
field's previous total. To prevent this behavior, use an absolute
reference instead, and place the field in another column.
ARTICLE-ID: Q110656
TITLE : WD: Calculation in Form Field Shows Wrong Result
ARTICLE-ID: Q157213
TITLE : WD: Incorrect Value/Table Cell Inserted Referencing Bookmark
"Microsoft Word Users Guide," version 6.x, pages 308-312
Additional query words: calculate noncontiguous discontiguous uncontiguous arithmetic math mathematic mathematical expression
Keywords : kbualink97 wordnt kbfield kbformula winword ntword macword kbtable word6 word7 word95 kbfaq
Version : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; winnt:6.0
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbhowtoLast Reviewed: May 24, 1999