WD: Plus Sign Causes Incorrect Result in Formula
Article ID: 146646
Article Last Modified on 8/17/2005
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Word 6.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Word 6.0a
- Microsoft Word 6.0c
- Microsoft Word 6.0 for Macintosh
- Microsoft Word 6.01 for Macintosh
- Microsoft Word 6.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Word 95 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Word 95a
This article was previously published under Q146646
SYMPTOMS
When you calculate the sum of a series of cells that contain numbers
preceded by a plus (+) sign, the result is incorrectly shown as the sum of
the negative numbers contained in the series or may be shown as zero when
each of the numbers in the series is preceded by a plus sign.
-or-
When you calculate the average of a series of cells that contain numbers
preceded by a plus (+) sign, the result is incorrectly shown as the average
of the negative numbers or may be shown as 0.0 when each of the numbers in
the series is preceded by a plus sign.
WORKAROUND
Method 1: Remove the Plus Signs
The plus sign is not required by Word to identify the number as positive.
Method 2: Move the Plus Signs to a New Column
Add a column to your table, move the plus signs to the new column, and
then update the formula field.
NOTE: Do not move the negative signs to the new column, or your formula
field result will be incorrect.
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Additional query words: math wrong
Keywords: kberrmsg kbbug kbfield kbformula kbpending KB146646