WinWord Err Msg: '! Zero Divide' When Using Expression Field

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c

SYMPTOMS

If you use an expression (=) field in a Word for Windows table to divide the sum of one cell by another cell that contains no value (null value), the result of the expression field yields the following error:

   ! Zero Divide

WORKAROUND

Word generates this error because it is not possible to divide a number by zero or nothing. If you prefer to display a different error message, use the following IF statement instead of the original expression field:

   {IF{=sum([r2c1])}<>"0" "{=sum([r1c1])/sum([r2c1])}" "You
   can't divide by zero."}

   If the sum of r2c1 (row 2, column 1) is not equal to zero, then
   divide r1c1 by r2c1. If r2c1 is equal to zero, then display the
   message "You can't divide by zero."

   NOTE: You can use any text in place of the "You can't divide by
   zero" error message. You can leave the prompt argument blank ("")
   if do not want an error message to appear in the cell.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide," version 2.0, pages 307-309