WD2000: Syntax Error in Formula Field That Uses Comma (212193)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q212193

SYMPTOMS

When you use a formula or expression field to perform a calculation of a set of numbers, the following error message may appear:
!Syntax Error, nnn,nnn
where nnn represents the numbers in the argument.

This error occurs when two or more numbers are separated by a comma without a space, and the second and subsequent numbers are three or more digits.

For example, the following expressions

{=sum(123,123)}

{=sum(123,123,123)}

produce the following errors:
!Syntax Error, 123,123

!Syntax Error, 123,123,1
This behavior occurs when the formula field performs the following calculations: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and PRODUCT.

If the expression contains a series of three or more numbers, the second number is one or two digits, and each number is separated by a comma without a space, your results will be inaccurate, and you will not get a syntax error.

For example, the following expression

{=sum(1,22,222,222)}

produces the following result:

22,222,223

This behavior does not occur when you perform calculations based on table cell references or when using bookmarks.

CAUSE

When the comma is not followed by a space but is followed by three digits, Word interprets the comma as being the thousands-place separator and treats the argument as one number.

RESOLUTION

To resolve these problems, place a space immediately following the comma, so that your formula looks similar to the following:

{=SUM(123, 125)}

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2000
Keywords:kbbug kbfield KB212193
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.