Microsoft KB Archive/70012

Word: Missing Parentheses in Column Calculation Example

PSS ID Number: Q70012 Article last modified on 11-02-1994

5.00 5.50 6.00

MS-DOS

= SUMMARY =

Page 490 of the “Using Microsoft Word” version 5.00 manual and page 510 of the “Using Microsoft Word” version 5.50 manual contain a figure illustrating the calculation of a column of numbers within a table that is not correct. To sum the first four figures in the column before multiplying them by 3.5, you must place them within parentheses.

Incorrect       Correct -       ---

Portland        Portland

$1734.55        ($1734.55                           591.65            591.65                           3310.33           3310.33                           577.23            577.23)

* 3.5            * 3.5                          ========         ========== As shown in manual, this example would be: 7656.84

The correct answer is: 21748.16

Note: In addition to including parentheses, you need to select the parentheses along with the figures before calculating the column.

= MORE INFORMATION =

Without a parenthesis before the first and after the last figure you want to sum, Word will not sum those four figures before multiplying the result by 3.5; only the fourth figure will be multiplied by 3.5 in the incorrect example above.

When there are multiple calculations in a single expression, Word calculates in the following order:


 * 1) Expressions in parentheses
 * 2) Percentages
 * 3) Multiplication or division
 * 4) Addition or subtraction

Doing arithmetic in a row in Word is calculated the same as when it is in a column. For example:

($1734.55 + 591.65 + 3310.33 + 577.23) * 3.5 = 21748.16

Reference(s):

“Using Microsoft Word.” Version 5.00. Page 487. “Using Microsoft Word.” Version 5.50. Page 507.

KBCategory: kbother KBSubcategory: Additional reference words:

=
================================================================ Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1994.