Microsoft KB Archive/118521

= WD: SUM Formula Does Not Update Correctly =

Article ID: 118521

Article Last Modified on 8/16/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Word 6.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Word 6.0a
 * Microsoft Word 6.0c
 * Microsoft Word 95 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Word 95a
 * Microsoft Word 6.0 for Macintosh
 * Microsoft Word 6.01 for Macintosh
 * Microsoft Word 6.01 for Macintosh
 * Microsoft Word 98 for Macintosh

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This article was previously published under Q118521





SYMPTOMS
The SUM formula field may update incorrectly if text exists in a cell of a row or column when using one of the following predefined formula fields:

=SUM(LEFT)

=SUM(RIGHT)

=SUM(BELOW)

=SUM(ABOVE)

NOTE: Text is considered to be any non-number character, including a footnote reference mark.

In the following table, the first and second rows will update correctly. If the text is in a cell immediately adjacent to the formula, the calculation updates correctly.   - |     1      |      2      |      3      | =SUM(LEFT)  | -  |      1      |      2      |    TEXT     | =SUM(LEFT)  | -  |      1      |    TEXT     |      3      | =SUM(LEFT)  | - The third row produces an incorrect result, as shown in the table below.   - |     1      |      2      |      3      |      6      |   -   |      1      |      2      |     TEXT    |      3      | -  |      1      |    TEXT     |      3      |      3      | -



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

Method 1
Specify a range of cells in your formula, for example:

{=sum(a1:a3)}

Method 2
Specify a series of cells in your formula, for example:

{=sum(a1,a2,a3)}

Additional query words: formula expression incorrect calculate calculation

Keywords: kbualink97 kbprb kbfield kbformula KB118521

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