WD97: Formula in Table Includes Number from Heading Row

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This article was previously published under Q105639

SYMPTOMS

In Word 97 for Windows, if you have a table that contains a row marked as Headings, the formula =SUM(Above) or =AVERAGE(Above) incorrectly includes the value from the heading row cell from the first page into the calculation.

This occurs even if the cell in the heading row of the table contains text and a number.

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CAUSE

Word includes values from the heading row in the calculation.

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MORE INFORMATION

When Word searches for contiguous cells, it starts at the formula cell and continues up until it finds the first cell containing a number. It then calculates up until it encounters a blank cell, a cell containing text only, or a cell containing mixed text and numbers above the last cell that contains a number only.

The following are some examples where the formula results are incorrect and others where the results are correct.

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Sample Table with Formulas

   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |     Two     |    No. 3    |      4      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      2      |      2      |      2      |             |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      3      |      3      |   row 3     |      3      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |{=SUM(Above)}|{=SUM(Above)}|{=SUM(Above)}|{=SUM(Above)}|
   ---------------------------------------------------------

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Sample Table with Results

   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      1      |     Two     |    No. 3    |      4      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      2      |      2      |      2      |             |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      3      |      3      |  row  3     |      3      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   |      6      |      5      |      8      |      3      |
   ---------------------------------------------------------

Row 1 of the sample table is formatted as a heading row (select the row and click Headings on the Table menu).

Result of row 4, column 1:

The result of the formula includes the numeric value of the heading for that column.

Result of row 4, column 2:

The result of the formula includes the set of contiguous cells that contain numeric values.

Result of row 4, column 3:

The result of the formula includes the numeric value of the heading and the value of row 3, column 3.

NOTE: The value in a cell containing a numeric value mixed with text is only included with the formula result if Word encounters it before the first cell containing only a number (Word calculates from the formula upwards).

Result of row 4, column 4:

The result of the formula does not include the heading for that column because there is a blank cell above the last cell containing only numbers.

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APPLIES TO

Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

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kbbug kbtable kbualink97 KB105639

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Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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