I'm creating a form in Word where scores have to be tallied in multiple categories across nearly 15 pages. I'd like to set everything up so that the sums are calculated automatically but am having a few problems, as I've never used math functions in Word before:

1. When I use the basic "=SUM(A1:A15)" function, it does not automatically update the output if I input a new number in one of the affected cells. Excel performs this function dynamically, is there a way to do it in Word? Only option I see is manually right-clicking the formula and selecting "Update Field."

2. The first page of the document is a "Master Tally Sheet" that tracks results from all of the following pages. How do I reference the outputs from tables on these other pages? I only know how to get a formula to recognize data within a single table.



Attached is a sample document (just the first two pages, but you'll get the idea). The subtotal on every page has to be automatically feed back to page 1 - the Master Tally Sheet.

Thanks!

Attached Files

sample tally sheet.doc (60.0 KB, 16 views)

I am trying to do something similar to your post, but simpler.
Did you ever find a solution for the problem? Thanks

I just noticed we have very different systems

Nope. Never got a response and it wasn't crucial for work purposes so I forgot about it.

Thank you very much for your reply.

So I did some more quick Google-ing and I think I got it now...

1. Create a table in Word - the cells are identified the same as they are in Excel, Word just won't show it explicitly (A1, A2, B1, B2, etc.)

2. Use the Text Form Field to insert fields where your numbers will go. Make sure you select "Calculate on Exit" in the Form Field Options for each one. This allows auto-calculations to occur where you will have your function.

3. Table-->Formula or Insert-->Field-->Formula in the cell where you want your final calculation to be done.

Full tutorial here

This only works within single tables, not across multiple tables, which still doesn't completely solve my problem.

That tutorial briefly mentions the use of bookmarks as well, which is necessary for calculating across multiple tables in a single document.

Highlight the field you want to be bookmarked and go to Insert --> Bookmark. Name the bookmark something obvious. Then if you want this field to reappear somewhere else in the document (in another table) you can just do the formula "=bookmarkname" and you're set!

Hope that helps

First: Thank you for taking the effort to find more info. I am only using
a single table, but apparently the options for Word 2003 are different
from 2007. I don't have the "field" or "formula" options. When I try
"equation" and put =sum(above) in the cell where I want my total;
those very words and symbols stay in the cell and there is no math
calculation. I tried enter numbers in the cells above, but no total
appeared? Thanks again

I'm using Word 2003 too. To enter a formula you need to select either Table --> Formula or Insert --> Field (Formula). Then you can type "=SUM(above)" or whatever you want.

You don't have these options at all??

No. notice on the header, next to my name - I have Vista
and Word 2007.

Oh my bad, I misunderstood.
I'm not sure how 2007 handles it unfortunately, sorry.

Thanks for trying. I've searched various places for 2007 help.
They all say pretty much the same thing, then show examples
for real complicated calculations like trigonometry. When I
try simple addition, it doesn't work. I appreciate your effort.

Hey DMD,

I think this link here may be the final piece to the puzzle - it looks like most of it has been covered pretty thoroughly by FranklinBluth; So, I'm hoping that this bit on fields for 2007 should finish it off nicely!

Bird: Thanks for your suggestion. I had not been to that particular page
before. The only think I gained from it though, was that I can press
cntrl + F9 to enter my formula instead of clicking on Formula. At the
end of the day, I still can't make the simple addition formula work.
Here is my original post:
I am trying to design a template for receipts with a math formula
always there: Subtotal, multiply times % of sales tax, then the
grand total. When I used Lotus WordPro this was fairly easy,
but in msWord 2007, Vista I haven't figured it out. I've tried the
"Insert" tab and equation. Also, the "Layout" tab with Formula.
Formula works one time, but it's not there in the template, the
next time I want to make a receipt. Thank you.
I'll be more spicific about what I'm doing. I have a Word 2007 document in which I have imported my own logo, in the top center.
In the upper left and upper right
I have rectangles in which to put a person's name, address, the date, etc.
Below that I have build a table with 2 columns & 10 rows. Cell B7 is my subtotal cell. There I would like the sum of cells B1 - B6 to appear. In B8
I would like to have the 6% sales tax of B7 appear. In B9 I would like to have the sum of B8 and B9 appear. When I press cntl + F9 the curly brackets appear and I type =sum(above) in them - then I save that formula and that is all I ever see. When I enter numbers in cells B1 through B6, they never show up in B7. Just the {=sum(above)}
is visible there. Thank you much for your help.