Works: Numbers Appear as Text in Spreadsheet or Database (134945)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 4.0
  • Microsoft Works 4.0a
  • Microsoft Works 4.5
  • Microsoft Works 2000
  • Microsoft Works Suite 2000
This article was previously published under Q134945

SYMPTOMS

Numbers with decimal points in a spreadsheet or a database may look like or be treated as text by Microsoft Works. This can affect formulas, sorts, or queries. In Works 4.0 or later, you may receive the following error message:
The list separator and decimal separator characters are the same and must be different.

Works will use the . character for the list separator. You can change the separator in the Windows Control Panel under Regional Settings, if desired.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when the Decimal Separator in the International tool (Microsoft Windows 3.x) or the Regional Settings tool (Microsoft Windows 95 or later) in Control Panel is set to a comma (,) instead of a period (.).

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, change the Decimal Separator to a period. To do this, use the appropriate method for your version of Windows.

Windows 95 or Later

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Regional Settings.
  3. Click the Number tab.
  4. Change the Decimal Symbol to a period (.) and click OK.

Windows 3.x

  1. Open the Control Panel, usually located in the Main program group.
  2. Double-click International Settings.
  3. In the Number Format section, click Change.
  4. Change the Decimal Separator to a period (.) and click OK.
  5. Click OK and close the Control Panel.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/24/2003
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB134945
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.