Err Msg in Formula: Reference Not Valid or Wrong Operand Type (76401)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 2.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
This article was previously published under Q76401

SYMPTOMS

You may receive the following error message in Works for Windows:
Reference not valid or wrong operand type

RESOLUTION

To resolve the above error message in the Spreadsheet or Database module, use the following steps:

  1. Check to make sure each parameter highlighted in the formula bar is typed correctly.
  2. Refer to the Appendix A in the "Works for Windows User's Guide" (for version 2.x) to verify the correct syntax is being used.
  3. If steps 1 and 2 do not correct the problem, type =SUM(1,2) in an empty Spreadsheet cell. If the error message "Operator missing or not valid" is displayed, the list separator in the Control Panel is probably a character other than a comma (,). To check the list separator, start the Windows Control Panel from Windows Program Manager. Double-click the International icon and verify that the list separator is a comma. If this entry is a character other than a comma, change it back to a comma, and choose OK.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/6/2003
Keywords:KB76401
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