Article ID: 120278
Article Last Modified on 8/16/2005
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Word 6.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Word 6.0a
- Microsoft Word 6.0c
- Microsoft Word 95 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Word 95a
- Microsoft Word 6.0 for Macintosh
- Microsoft Word 6.01 for Macintosh
- Microsoft Word 6.01 for Macintosh
This article was previously published under Q120278
SYMPTOMS
Word for Windows
The error message "A field calculation error occurred in record #" (where #
is every record number) may appear when you use an IF field to include
files whose names are specified in other merge fields, and any of the merge
fields specified is blank.
The following is a sample statement that will exhibit this problem
{IF {MERGEFIELD contribution} > 1000 {INCLUDETEXT {MERGEFIELD thanks}}
{INCLUDETEXT {MERGEFIELD give_more}} }
where "thanks" and "give_more" are fields in the data document that contain
names of files to be included, and either of the fields is blank.
Word for the Macintosh
In Word 6.0 for the Macintosh, when using an INCLUDETEXT field to include a
document, if the path is not enclosed by quotation marks, the error message
"A field calculation error occurred in record #" will appear. The following
is an example that will give the error:
{IF {MERGEFIELD No} > 1 "{INCLUDETEXT Mac HD:Desktop Folder:Doc 1}
"{INCLUDETEXT Mac HD:Desktop Folder:Doc 2}" }
Also, if there are any extra spaces in the path statement, the same error
will appear. In the example above, if there is a space inserted after
either ":" (colon), the error will appear, regardless of whether the
quotation marks are used.
CAUSE
This happens because of the order in which fields are updated. Innermost
fields are updated first, and they are updated from left to right. Thus,
{MERGEFIELD thanks} is the first field evaluated. If it is blank, Word
cannot finish evaluating the field. If it contains text but {MERGEFIELD
give_more} does not, the IF field still cannot be evaluated.
WORKAROUND
Change the data document to always refer to two files. Create a file with
just one character in it, and refer to this field in the previously blank
field of the data document.
For example, create a new file and type one character in it. Save the file
as Blank.doc. In those records that don't contain any typing in the Thanks
field, type Blank.doc. In those records that don't contain typing in the
give_more field, type Blank.doc. Word can update both merge fields and will
include the correct file.
Additional query words: 8.0 8.00
Keywords: kberrmsg kbmerge kbprb kbfield KB120278