WD: Word 1.x/2.x Cell References Convert to Absolute References (106120)

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Word versions 1.x and 2.x use a different notation for referencing table cells than Word 6.0 and greater. Word 1.x and 2.x use a notation row column number reference such as: R1C1 or R3C2. Beginning with Word 6.0, the notation is the same as Excel's, for example: A1 or B3. Below is a sample Expression field as it appears in Word 1.x or 2.x:

   {=SUM([R1C1])*SUM([R1C4])}
				

Word 6.0 and greater converts the above Expression field to the following Formula field:

   {=SUM(A1)*SUM(D1)}
				

In Word 6.0 and greater, you can simplify your Formula field calculations so they no longer use the SUM operator. For example, you can rewrite the above Formula field as follows:

   {=A1*D1}
				

Both Formula fields produce the same result.

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If a document is saved in a Word 1.x or 2.x format from versions of Microsoft Word listed above, these absolute references are not re-converted to a Word 1.x or 2.0x format.

For example, when a Word 2.0 document that contains the formula {=sum([r1c1:r1c3])} is imported into Word 6.0, the formula {=sum([r1c1:r1c3])} appears as {=SUM(A1:C3)}. The Word 2.0 formula is converted to Word 6.0 format.

However, when a Word 6.0 document that contains the formula {=SUM(A1:C3)} is exported from Word 6.0 in Word 2.0 format and opened in Word 2.0, {=SUM(A1:C3)} appears as {=SUM(A1:C3)}. The Word 6.0 formula is not converted to the Word 2.0 format of {=sum([r1c1:r1c3])}. The correct field result (the sum of the cells) is retained until the formula field is updated at which point a "!Syntax error" is received.

When a Word 6.0 document that contains the formula {=SUM(A1:C3)} is exported from Word 6.0 in Word 6.0 format and opened in Word 2.0, {=SUM(A1:C3)} appears as {= }; The Word 6.0 formula doesn't retain the Word 6.0 format of {=SUM(A1:C3)} or convert to the Word 2.0 format of {=sum([r1c1:r1c3])}. The correct field result (the sum of the cells) is retained until the formula field is updated at which point an "!Unexpected End of Expression" is received.

WORKAROUND: Unlink the fields before they're updated to retain the original field results. Do this by placing the Insertion Point in the formula field and pressing CTRL+SHIFT+F9, the Unlink Fields key combination.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Word listed above. We are researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.