XL97: ErrMsg to Fix Formula When Comma Is Decimal Separator

ID: Q171314

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

You may receive the following message that there is an error in a formula, even though the formula is correct:

   The formula you typed contains an error.

CAUSE

This error message may occur when you set the Decimal Symbol to be a comma (,) in the Regional Settings Properties dialog box, and then do either of the following:

You type a number into a cell that contains digits to the right of the decimal point; for example, "1900,01" (without the quotation marks).
```
    -or-
```
You type a number into a formula which contains digits to the right of the decimal point; for example, "=1900,01 * 100" (without the quotation marks).

NOTE: You can find Regional Settings in the Control Panel.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, install Microsoft Excel 97 Service Release 1 (SR-1).

To work around this problem, type a plus sign (+) instead of the equal sign (=) at the beginning of the formula.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 SR-1.

For additional information about SR-1, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q172475
   TITLE     : OFF97: How to Obtain and Install MS Office 97 SR-1

REFERENCES

For more information about entering formulas, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

   formulas, entering

and then double-click the selected text to go to "Enter data in worksheet cells" topic.

Additional query words: incorrect formula fixer German CSV international parse

Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg xlformula 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

Last Reviewed: November 5, 1998