WD97: Syntax Error in Formula Field That Uses Comma Separator (196912)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q196912

SYMPTOMS

When using a formula or expression field to perform a calculation of a set of numbers, you may receive the following error message
!Syntax Error, xxx,xxx
where xxx represents the numbers in the argument.

This error occurs when two or more numbers are separated by a comma without a space, and the second and subsequent numbers are three or more digits. For example, the following expressions

{=sum(123,123)}
{=sum(123,123,123)}

will produce the following errors:
!Syntax Error, 123,123
!Syntax Error, 123,123,123
This behavior occurs when the formula field performs the following calculations: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and PRODUCT.

If the expression contains a series of three or more numbers, the second number is one or two digits, and each number is separated by a comma without a space, your results will be inaccurate, and you will not get a syntax error. For example, the following expression

{=sum(1,22,222,222)}

will produce the following result:

22,222,223

This behavior does not occur when you perform calculations based on table cell references or when using bookmarks.

CAUSE

When the comma is not followed by a space but is followed by three digits, Word interprets the comma as being the thousands-place separator and treats the argument as one number.

RESOLUTION

Place a space immediately following the comma, so that your formula looks as follows:

{=SUM(123, 125)}

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2000
Keywords:kbbug kbfield KB196912
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