Microsoft KB Archive/113391

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Excel: Typing "TRUE" for Text in Chart Causes Unexpected Quit
Last reviewed: September 12, 1996

Article ID: Q113391

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel chart types, if you select the entire chart and type "TRUE" in the formula bar, you may receive one of the following error messages:

  The application "unknown" has unexpectedly quit, because an error of type  has occurred. where n is an a number 1, 2, or 3. You are forced to exit Microsoft Excel. -or-   Sorry, a system error occurred. "Microsoft Excel" bad F-Line instruction. And you must restart your computer. 

CAUSE
When you use the word "TRUE" as unattached text in a Microsoft Excel chart, it is read as a logical number.

This behavior does not occur for all chart types. It is currently known to occur with the following chart types line, area, bar, pie, radar, xy (scatter), combination, 3-D bar, 3-D column, 3-D line, and 3-D pie charts with the default type selected.

WORKAROUND
If you need to use the word "true" as unattached text in a chart, enter is as a text formula; for example, type ="TRUE".

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Excel version 4.0 for the Macintosh. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

 * 1) In a new Microsoft Excel worksheet, type 1, 2, 3, in cells A1, A2, and A3, respectively.
 * 2) Select the range A1:A3, choose New from the File menu, select the Chart option, and choose OK.
 * 3) From the Gallery menu, choose Line, and then choose the default chart type.
 * 4) From the Chart menu, choose Select Chart.
 * 5) In the formula bar, type "TRUE" (without the quotation marks).

You receive an "Unexpected Quit" error of type 1, 2, or 3.