Works: How to Insert Functions and Range Names in Spreadsheets (109047)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • 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 Q109047

SUMMARY

In Works, you can quickly insert mathematical functions into cells. You can also insert range names into formulas.

When you insert a function in a Works for Windows spreadsheet, the generic version of the formula is entered into the cell. For example, if you want to insert the Sum formula, Works enters the following into the cell

=Sum(<RangeRef0,RangeRef1,...>)

where <RangeRef0,RangeRef1,...> represents the cell range you are trying to find the sum of. For example, if you wanted the sum of cells A1 through A10, you would change the formula to:

=Sum(A1:A10)

If all of the parameters are not correctly entered, Works 3.0 will return the following error message:
Reference not valid or wrong operand type.
Works 4.0, 4.5, or 4.5a returns the following error message:
This formula contains an error.
Click OK to return to the formula and correct it.
If you click OK, Works will highlight the part of the formula that needs to be corrected.

MORE INFORMATION

To insert a function into a spreadsheet, do the following:

  1. Place the pointer in the cell where you want the function to go.
  2. From the Insert menu, click Function.
  3. Select the Function you want to use and click OK.

    NOTE: When you highlight a function, a brief description will appear at the bottom of the dialog box explaining how to use that specific function.
  4. Modify the function using the Formula Bar. (To access the Formula Bar, place the mouse pointer in the Formula Bar and click the left mouse button or press F2).
To insert a range name into a formula of a spreadsheet:

  1. Select the cell containing the formula.
  2. Place your cursor in the Formula Bar at the position where you want to insert the range name.
  3. From the Edit menu, click Go To or press F5.
  4. From the Go To List, choose the range name you want to insert. Click OK. Works will highlight the data contained in the Range Name.
  5. Press ENTER on the keyboard to accept the information.
For example, if you want to find the sum of the cells with the range name "Totals", the formula would be:

=Sum(Totals)

NOTE: If a function references a cell range that is later assigned a name, that range name will then appear in the syntax of the formula on the formula bar.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to perform this task in Works, see your Works printed documentation or online Help.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/15/2004
Keywords:kbinfo KB109047
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.