Microsoft KB Archive/211875

= XL2000: Natural Language Formula Returns Zero Value =

Article ID: 211875

Article Last Modified on 9/27/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q211875





SYMPTOMS
When you calculate a formula using column or row labels as a reference in a natural language formula, the formula returns a zero value.



CAUSE
This problem occurs when you type the formula in the same column or row as the label that you are referencing. Natural language formulas seek out the label you are referencing by first searching to the left, and then searching above the formula that you typed.



WORKAROUND
When you use natural language formulas, do not type formulas in the same column or row as the label that you are referencing. Instead, type the formula in a column to the right of and/or in a row below the label that you are referencing.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.



MORE INFORMATION
When you use natural language formulas, it is not necessary to create defined names or determine the cell ranges in advance. Microsoft Excel determines the range based on the row and column labels that you provide in the table on the worksheet.

Example
To set up the example, follow these steps:  Click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the Calculation tab. Click to select the Accept labels in formulas check box, and then click OK.  Type the following data in a worksheet:   A1:              B1: First Quarter  C1: Second Quarter A2: Product A   B2: 100            C2: 50 A3: Product B   B3: 110            C3: 60 A4: Product C   B4: 120            C4: 70 

In this example, the following formula returns the value 150 for the sum of Product A:

= Sum(Product A)

However, this formula returns a 0 (zero) if you type it in column A (for example, in cell A5).

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