Can'nt add column of numbers.

D

Don J

I've got a problem using the SUM function. I am trying to add a column of
numbers.

1) I click the cell directly beneath the column of numbers I wish to add.
1) I click the Autosum button. 3) I select the range by dragging the mouse
pointer over the numbers in the column I wish to add. 4) I then press the
Enter key.

At this point the sum should appear in the cell I originally clicked. But
it displays zero! Yet the numbers I am trying to add are all positive.
I've tried all sorts of things, even reinstalling Access XP.

What have I done wrong?

Don J
 
J

JE McGimpsey

Reinstalling Access won't do much with your XL sheet.

Your values were probably imported as Text. Try coercing the text
numbers to number values by copying a blank cell, selecting your text
numbers and choosing Edit/Paste Special, selecting the Add and Values
radio buttons.
 
K

Ken Wright

Sounds like the numbers are stored as text - this is Excel and not Access
right???

Put a 1 in an empty cell and make sure it automatically goes right aligned - If
not then format the cell as number and then reenter the 1. Now copy that cell,
select all your data and do Edit / Paste Special / Multiply. This should coerce
the data back to numeric.
 
D

Don J

Your method worked very well the first time I tried it. On the second time
the 'Paste Special' entry was missing on the 'Edit' menu, so it failed.
What did I do wrong?

Don J
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D

Don J

I tried your recommended approach. When I did the 'Paste Special' command
was missing from the 'Edit' menu. Any ideas what I might have done wrong?

Don J
 
K

Ken Wright

Was Paste there? Are the rest of the menu items hidden by any chance, ie do you
see a little arrow at the bottom of the menu list that if you click or hover
over it will expand the list of options?
 
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