WD: SUM Formula Does Not Update Correctly

ID: Q118521

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

The SUM formula field may update incorrectly if text exists in a cell of a row or column when using one of the following predefined formula fields:

   =SUM(LEFT)
   =SUM(RIGHT)
   =SUM(BELOW)
   =SUM(ABOVE)

NOTE: Text is considered to be any non-number character, including a footnote reference mark.

In the following table, the first and second rows will update correctly. If the text is in a cell immediately adjacent to the formula, the calculation updates correctly.

   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |      2      |      3      | =SUM(LEFT)  |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |      2      |    TEXT     | =SUM(LEFT)  |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |    TEXT     |      3      | =SUM(LEFT)  |
   ---------------------------------------------------------

The third row produces an incorrect result, as shown in the table below.

   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |      2      |      3      |      6      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |      2      |     TEXT    |      3      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |    TEXT     |      3      |      3      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------

WORKAROUND

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

Method 1

Specify a range of cells in your formula, for example:

   {=sum(a1:a3)}

Method 2

Specify a series of cells in your formula, for example:

   {=sum(a1,a2,a3)}

Additional query words: formula expression incorrect calculate calculation

Keywords          : kbualink97 word8 kbfield macword98 kbformula winword word6 word7 word95 macword6 
Version           : Macintosh 6.0 6.0.1 6.0.1a 98 | Windows 6.0 6.0a 6.0c 7.0 7.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: December 6, 1998