Microsoft KB Archive/123194

= "Error In Formula" or Incorrect Calculation Entering Formula =

Article ID: 123194

Article Last Modified on 8/15/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 95a
 * Microsoft Excel 5.0c
 * Microsoft Excel 4.0a
 * Microsoft Excel 3.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 2.1 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q123194





SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, when you enter a formula in a cell on a worksheet, the formula may return an incorrect value, or you may receive the following error message:

Error in formula



CAUSE
This behavior occurs if the character that you use to separate values in your formula is different from the character that is entered as the list separator in the International dialog box in Microsoft Windows. For example, if you use a comma to separate values in your formula, and the list separator is set to a hyphen (-) character, you receive the error message above when you enter the formula on the worksheet.



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

Method 1: Use a List Separator from the International Dialog Box
When you enter a formula on a worksheet in Microsoft Excel, use the list separator character that is set in the International dialog box in the Control Panel.

Method 2: Change the List Separator in Windows
In Windows 3.x:
 * 1) From the Main group in Program Manager, run Control Panel.
 * 2) Double-click the International icon.
 * 3) In the List Separator box, enter the character you want to use as the list separator, and choose OK.

In Windows 95:
 * 1) On the Start menu, click Settings, then click Control Panel.
 * 2) Double-click the Regional Settings icon.
 * 3) Click on the Number tab.
 * 4) In the List Separator box, enter the character you want to use as the list separator, and choose OK.

NOTE: The character that you use for the list separator must be different from the character you use for the decimal separator. If the same character is used for both, you receive the following error message when you start Microsoft Excel:

The list and decimal separators specified by the system are identical. Substituting ';' for the list separator.

Additional query words: 4.00a 5.00c

Keywords: KB123194

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