Works: How to Enter Fractions Correctly in a Works Spreadsheet (76291)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 2.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0b
  • Microsoft Works 4.5
  • Microsoft Works 4.5a
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0 4.0a
This article was previously published under Q76291

SUMMARY

The proper syntax for entering fractions in the Works Spreadsheet is "M N/D", where "M" is an integer, "N" is the numerator, and "D" is the denominator. A value for M must be entered or Works will recognize the cell as a date rather than a fraction. For example,

7/8

must be entered as

0 7/8

to be recognized as a fraction.

MORE INFORMATION

When a fraction is entered into a cell without the leading integer, it changes the cell's format to a date format. Formulas and charts that reference that cell are inaccurate because the value of the cell is that of the date serial number, not a fraction. For example, if 7/8 is entered during the year 1995, the value used for calculations and charts will be 34888, even though on screen it looks like the fraction 7/8. Charts referencing the cell display what look like random fractional values but are actually dates.

To convert the cell back to a numeric format, do the following:

Works 3.0 for Windows and Works 4.0, 4.5, and 4.5a for Windows 95

Retype the fraction with the leading 0, as in the example in the above summary section.

Works 2.0

  1. Retype the fraction with the leading 0, as in the example in the "Summary" section.
  2. Change the cell back to a numeric format: Select the cell and choose General (or any other numeric format) from the Format menu. Doing so converts the cell to a numeric format, and the correct decimal equivalent of the fraction appears in the cell.

    In Works 2.0, if a number such as 7/8 is entered into a cell and 0 7/8 is entered on top of it, a series of pound signs fill the cell because the cell is still in the date format. Changing the cell format to a numeric format corrects the problem.
Works uses the same fraction and date syntax as Microsoft Excel.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/15/2004
Keywords:kbinfo KB76291
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