Microsoft KB Archive/44671

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

File: #ERROR! Is Displayed in Computed Field
Last reviewed: October 27, 1994

Article ID: Q44671

Summary:

If #ERROR! is displayed in a Microsoft File computed field, something is wrong with the formula that defines the computed field. The following are three possible causes of this problem:


 * 1) The formula refers to a Text, Memo, or Picture field. Number and Date fields are the only field types that can be referred to in the formula of a computed field.
 * 2) An arithmetic/numeric operator has been used in the field name. Symbols such as &quot;+&quot;, &quot;-&quot;, &quot;/&quot;, &quot;*&quot;, and &quot;$&quot; used as part of a field name may cause the computed field to return an error. These symbols are being read as operators of the calculation, not as part of the field name. Therefore, the field name will be read as a text string, not one of the field names for the data file.
 * 3) A field name referred to by the computed formula starts or ends with a number with a space between the number and other characters in the name (e.g. &quot;17 Jan&quot; or &quot;Jan 17&quot;). The number will be read as a number to be calculated by the computed formula. Therefore, the rest of the characters in the filed name will be read as text, not as one of the field names for the data file.
 * 4) One of the field names used in the formula is misspelled. In this case, File will not recognize the field name.

To correct the problem, do the following:


 * 1) Highlight the computed field in the form.
 * 2) From the Form menu, choose Format Field.
 * 3) Correct the formula at the bottom of the dialog box.