Microsoft KB Archive/120868

= WD: "!Syntax Error, [" in Table Formula =

Article ID: 120868

Article Last Modified on 8/16/2005

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APPLIES TO


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

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This article was previously published under Q120868



SYMPTOMS
The error message "!Syntax Error, [" appears in a table when a formula field includes certain formula functions and refers to table cells with A1 notation.



CAUSE
Function references to table cells are not in row/column notation.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Word.

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

Method 1
Use row/column notation. In this notation, each cell is identified by the letter R and the row number, and the letter C and the column number. For example, cell A1 is called R1C1. Cell B2 is R2C2, cell D15 is R15C4, and so on.

For example, you would change this formula

{ =abs(B4) }

to this:

{ =abs(R4C2) }

Method 2
Apply a bookmark to the contents of the cell you want and refer to it rather than using the cell reference.

NOTE: you must include only the contents of the cell when you apply the bookmark. If you highlight the entire cell, you get unpredictable results in the formula result.



STATUS
This problem was corrected in Word 97 and Word 98 Macintosh Edition.



MORE INFORMATION
The following functions do not require the use of row/column notation (A1 notation can be used):

average

count

max

min

product

sum

The following functions require the use of row/column notation:

abs

and

int

mod

not

or

round

sign

Additional query words: 6formula equation table cell reference row column bookmark calculate calculation

Keywords: kberrmsg kbbug kbfix kbfield kbformula KB120868

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