Works: Problems Displaying or Removing Database Formulas

This article describes how to correct the following problems with formula operations in the Microsoft Works for Windows database:

• A formula cannot be deleted.
  
  
• A formula cannot be redisplayed even though overlying text and values have been deleted.
  
  
• The formula cannot be entered over existing text or values.

The database in Microsoft Works for Windows has two "layers," a formula layer below and a text/value layer above. The purpose for this design is to have a default value in a field and allow you to override this default. Since entered text or a value can hide a formula, operations on fields containing formulas must be completed correctly.

Deleting a Formula

To delete a formula, do the following:

In Works 3.0 and Works for Windows 95:

1. From the Edit menu, click Go To (F5 key).
2. Select the name of the field and press the ENTER key.
3. If you are in List view, from the Edit menu, click Select Field to highlight the entire field.
4. From the Edit menu, click Clear Formula.

NOTE: The formula in this field will be deleted from every record in the database.

In Works 2.0:

1. From the Select menu, click Go To.
2. Select the name of the field and press the ENTER key.
3. If you are in List view, click Field from the Select menu to highlight the entire field.
4. From the Edit menu, click Clear Formula.

NOTE: The formula in this field will be deleted from every record in the database.

Redisplaying an Existing Formula

Using the DELETE key to clear a field entry will not restore the formula in Works 2.0. To restore a formula hidden behind the text or values, do the following:

1. Select the affected cell(s).
2. From the Edit menu, click Clear Field Entry (Works 2.0 and 3.0) or Clear (Works for Windows 95). Or, in Works 3.0 or Works for Windows 95, press the DELETE key.

Entering a Formula Over Existing Text or Values

When trying to enter a formula in a field containing text or a value, the contents of the field will not change. The formula bar will show the existing field contents and not the formula just entered. To redisplay the formula, do the following:

1. Select the cell containing the formula to be changed.
2. From the Edit menu, click Clear Field Entry (Works 2.0 and 3.0) or Clear (Works for Windows 95). Or, in Works 3.0 or Works for Windows 95, press the DELETE key. This deletes the contents of the field (for this record).
3. If necessary, type the new formula or modify the existing one and press ENTER.