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Q185056: WD97: Incorrect Formula Results Using ABOVE, BELOW, LEFT, RIGHT

Article: Q185056
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbdta kbformula word97 kbtable
Last Modified: 14-NOV-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you use a formula field in a table, the result is incorrect if the
following are true:

- You use ABOVE, BELOW, LEFT, or RIGHT as an argument for the field.

  -and-

- The defined range contains noncontiguous values (one or more blank cells
  between two values).

For example, the formula in cell A6 of the following table shows a result of 7
instead of 12:

  |------------------|
  |               3  | <(Cell A1)
  |------------------|
  |                  | <(Cell A2)
  |------------------|
  |               4  | <(Cell A3)
  |------------------|
  |                  | <(Cell A4)
  |------------------|
  |               5  | <(Cell A5)
  |------------------|
  |   {=SUM(ABOVE)}  | <(Cell A6)
  |------------------|

CAUSE
=====

Word calculates all values correctly up to and including the first cell after an
empty table cell, and then stops.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Type Zero (0) in Any Blank Cells
------------------------------------------

Type zero (0) in any blank cells included within the calculation range, for
example:

  |------------------|
  |               3  | <(Cell A1)
  |------------------|
  |               0  | <(Cell A2)
  |------------------|
  |               4  | <(Cell A3)
  |------------------|
  |               0  | <(Cell A4)
  |------------------|
  |               5  | <(Cell A5)
  |------------------|
  |   {=SUM(ABOVE)}  | <(Cell A6)
  |------------------|

Method 2: Use Cell References
-----------------------------

For a range that contains one or more blank cells, use cell references to define
the range instead of ABOVE, BELOW, LEFT, or RIGHT. For example, use the
following formula field to obtain a correct result:

  |------------------|
  |               3  | <(Cell A1)
  |------------------|
  |                  | <(Cell A2)
  |------------------|
  |               4  | <(Cell A3)
  |------------------|
  |                  | <(Cell A4)
  |------------------|
  |               5  | <(Cell A5)
  |------------------|
  |   {=SUM(A1:A5)}  | <(Cell A6)
  |------------------|

STATUS
======

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

MORE INFORMATION
================

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  Q118521 WD: SUM Formula Does Not Update Correctly

  Q105639 WD: Table Formula SUM(Above) Adds Number from Heading Row

  Q113980 WD: Wrong Calculation Result with Bookmarks in Table

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbdta kbformula word97 kbtable 
Technology        : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

=============================================================================

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