Knowledge Base

Error at <Cell Reference> Appears Instead of Result

Article ID: 115259

Article Last Modified on 8/16/2005

Microsoft Word 6.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Word 6.0a
Microsoft Word 6.0c
Microsoft Word 95 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q115259

SYMPTOMS

If a formula in a table refers to a cell that is blank, the formula shows the following error message instead of a result:

!Error at <cell reference>

If there are nested formulas, the field will show a previous result or will not show any result.

For example, the formula in B1 of the table below refers to A1. When A1 contains a number, B1 will show the result of A1 multiplied by 6. When A1 is empty, B1 will show "!Error at A1".

     --------------------
   |         | {=A1*6}  |
    --------------------

CAUSE

Word 97 evaluates a blank cell as a zero. Word 95 and earlier do not evaluate formulas for which any of the elements are unknown.

WORKAROUND

Type a 0 (zero) in the blank cell. If you do not want the 0 to display, format it as Hidden.

NOTE: {IF} fields and bookmarks are not effective in this situation.

Keywords: kbtable kbfield KB115259