MacWD: Incorrect Total When Table Has More Than 85 Rows (180752)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2001 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

This article was previously published under Q180752

SYMPTOMS

When you update a formula field in a table, the result is incorrect if the following are true:
  • The table contains more than 85 rows. -and-

  • The range specified in the formula is (ABOVE) or (BELOW).
NOTE: The SUM and COUNT formulas can use the (ABOVE) and (BELOW) ranges.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when a finite length string is overrun because too many cells are referenced in the formula. The field =Sum(Above) is translated to =Sum(a1+b1+c1...) and eventually it gets too long for the string.

WORKAROUND

Use one of the following methods to work around this problem.

Method 1 - Specify a range cell reference in the formula

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the View tab.
  2. Under Show, click to select the Field Codes check box.
  3. Click OK.

    The formula field resembles the following:

    {=Sum(Above)}

  4. Type a cell reference in the field. Change your field so that it resembles the following

    {=Sum(A1:A87)}

    where A1 and A87 represent the first and last cells in the range.
  5. Press F9.

    The field is updated.
  6. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the View tab.
  7. Under Show, click to clear the Field Codes check box.
  8. Click OK.

Method 2

Create subtotals, and then reference the subtotals to create a grand total.

Method 3

Use Excel to calculate totals.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on the Formula field, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

185401 WD98: How to Set Up a Table as a Spreadsheet in Word


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/14/2002
Keywords:kbprb kbtable KB180752