Many years ago I used formulae in Word all the time. I am now completely failing and I can't remember what I used to do. I am using Word 2016. I have gone down to the simplest formula I could think of =SUM (1,2,3). When I toggle the field codes off (ALT F9) it is though the formula hasn't been entered.
Hello {{=SUM(1,2,3)}} Try again {=SUM(1,2,3)} end



What one sees after toggling is:

Hello Try again end




The braces were entered using CTRL F9


I'm sorry as it must be something really obvious but I'd very much appreciate any help.

I don't normally put mathematical formulas into Word and I'm not seeing Sum as a useful field unless it is inside a table.
Outside of a table you could use {=1+2+3}
Inside a table, you can use something along the lines of {=Sum(Above)} or {=Sum(Left)} or {=Sum(A2,B3,C3)}

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

Thank you Andrew - I tried your simple {-(1+2+3} that didn't work either, then inspiration struck. I saved the document as a macro-enabled one and Hey Presto! everything worked. I can now get on and do the text manipulation I want.


If it hadn't been for your simple formula that I knew definitely should work I wouldn't have got there.
Thanks again

The field code shown below would definitely display "4" after it has been updated and field codes have been hidden.

It is crucial that you add the field delimiters, { }, using the keyboard. Press Ctrl+F9 (or Ctrl+Fn+F9 on many keyboards nowadays). The presence or absence of spaces around may also be relevant to the success of your field coding.

Attached Images

fieldCalculation.png (1.5 KB, 8 views)

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Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional