Microsoft KB Archive/165260

= XL97: COUNTA Function Changed to COUNT =

Article ID: 165260

Article Last Modified on 10/22/2000

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q165260





SYMPTOMS
When you open a file in Microsoft Excel 97, worksheet formulas that contain the COUNTA function may be changed so that they use the COUNT function instead. Also, depending on your data, the value returned by the formula that uses the COUNT function may be changed.



CAUSE
This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:


 * You create the file in Microsoft Excel. -and-


 * You use the COUNTA worksheet function. -and-


 * You save the file in the Lotus 1-2-3 .wk1 format, and then reopen the file.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
 * 1) Open the .wk1 file on a computer running an earlier version of Microsoft Excel.
 * 2) In this earlier version of Microsoft Excel, click Save As on the File menu.
 * 3) In the Save As dialog box, change the name of the file. Then, select a different file format, such as Microsoft Excel Workbook or WK3(1-2-3) in the Save As Type list.
 * 4) Click Save.

When you open the file in Microsoft Excel 97, the COUNTA function is retained.

NOTE: Lotus 1-2-3 does not support the COUNTA function. Also, when you open a .wk1 or .wks file in Microsoft Excel, the COUNT function is not automatically converted to the COUNTA function.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.



MORE INFORMATION
For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

158540 XL97: Results Unchanged Toggling Transition Formula Evaluation

