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SUM Function arguments

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    SUM Function arguments

    This is such a simple question that I am embarrassed to even post it, but here goes. Is =SUM(A3-B6) a valid expression?

    A little background: I am asking for a person whose new computer with Microsoft Home & Business 2019 keeps crashing and freezing up while using old Excel spreadsheets (most created using Excel 2010, but some date back to Excel 2004 apparently). I have tested the computer thoroughly and it is solid, so I am almost certain that the crashes are related these older spreadsheets.

    So, I am trying to help identify the problem(s) with the old spreadsheets and I keep seeing the SUM formula used as in my above example. My very limited experience with Excel suggests my example is not valid and should instead be: =SUM(A3,-B6) or simply =A3-B6. Could the missing comma in my SUM example cause serious problems in Excel 2019 and maybe earlier versions of Excel were more forgiving? Or, am I simply barking up the wrong tree with this one and need to keep digging to find the real source of the crashes and freeze-ups (which again, only occur when she uses the old Excel spreadsheets).

    Thanks in advance for any suggestions or guidance you can give me!

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    Forum Moderator Glenn Kennedy's Avatar
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    Re: SUM Function arguments

    Woof woof. Wrong tree.

    It's not a brilliant formula... but there's noting wrong with it. If the two values are 10 and 4... Excel will forst perform the subtraction 10-4 = 6 It will then sum 6... with itself (hence it is not a brilliant formula) and return 6. =A3-B6 would be much better, but your odd version of it will not cause Excel to crash.
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    Re: SUM Function arguments

    Akthough in =SUM(A3-B6) the SUM function is redundant it does not provoke any crashing or freezing
    Of course =A3-B6 is the way to go
    Perhaps you should reinstall Office from scratch or use the Repair tool

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    Forum Expert Pepe Le Mokko's Avatar
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    Re: SUM Function arguments

    Quote Originally Posted by jakster View Post
    A little background: I am asking for a person whose new computer with Microsoft Home & Business 2019 keeps crashing and freezing up while using old Excel spreadsheets (most created using Excel 2010, but some date back to Excel 2004 apparently).
    Isn't XL 2004 a Mac version?

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    Re: SUM Function arguments

    Oops, my bad -- the oldest spreadsheet still in use was created using Excel 2003 (not 2004) running Windows XP I think.

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    Re: SUM Function arguments

    Thank you very much to Glenn and Pepe for your quick responses and excellent advice. The unusual use of the SUM function per my example, is scattered throughout the old spreadsheets and was the first thing that caught my eye. I will keep digging. For example, one of the spreadsheets (with dozens of separate worksheets in tabs) when opened displays the error message "There are one or more circular references..." and that is an example of something that obviously needs to be tracked down and fixed. Even I know that! :-)

    Thanks again. I really, really appreciate your help this morning. Have a great day!

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    Re: SUM Function arguments

    Oh, and I did run the Repair Tool for Office 2019 twice last week and the crashing/freezing when using and/or opening these old spreadsheets still occurs. Good suggestion, but I am almost positive that the problem lies in one or more of the old spreadsheets and not Excel 2019 itself or some general problem with the new computer. Thanks again!

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    Re: SUM Function arguments

    Perhaps you could post an old sheet so we can play around with it?

    Perhaps a file association issue might be the problem? ( xls not associated with XL2010 which uses xlsx)
    Last edited by Pepe Le Mokko; 02-15-2021 at 10:49 AM.

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    Re: SUM Function arguments

    All of the files are in XLSX format now. Thanks for the offer, but the spreadsheets in question are all from a small business here in Illinois, so I will have to "scrub" them before posting and I don't have time to do that right now. I will do some more digging this evening and let you know what I find out (and probably ask for some more help). Thanks again!
    Last edited by AliGW; 02-15-2021 at 10:59 AM. Reason: PLEASE don't quote unnecessarily!

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