Calculate Tool

Question

I added a calculation (sum) to a table created in Word (Office 365). The calculation works if I go to the Layout ribbon and select "Formula". But it does not work if I highlight the calculation field and hit the "Formula" quick access tool that I added to the toolbar (in the toolbar medu it is called "Calculate").

What do I need to do to get this field to automatically update on the fly when the values in the fields it sums changes? (Going to the Layout ribbon and selecting "Formula" is not at all efficient.)

Answer 1

This is a drawback of using Word calculation fields. Unlike Excel, they do not automatically update when the source data changes. Using File>Print to preview the document will update the calculations (you don't actually have to print, just previewing will work). You can also use a VBA macro to update them:

Sub UpdateCalcs()

     ActiveDocument.Fields.Update

 End Sub  

After creating the macro, you can invoke it with a keyboard shortcut. The only way I know of to make the process automatic is to create a continuously running macro with a timer that fires the update command every few seconds. That takes a lot of processor cycles to run.

You might want to include a portion of an Excel workbook in your Word document to take care of this, that will update automatically when data changes.

Answer 2

For completeness, it should be mentioned that the Calculate command is entirely different from calculations in formula fields. To see what it does, read http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com/ToolsCalculate.htm

Answer 3

Hi ProdManEPB,

May I know if you have some updated information? Feel free to post back if you need further assistance.

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 4

Dear ProdManEPB,

First, my pleasure to assist you.

As per your description, please don’t worry, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation.

If my understanding is right, for the situation you encountered, we do understand the inconvenience caused and apologize for it.

As you mentioned, "But it does not work if I highlight the calculation field and hit the "Formula" quick access tool that I added to the toolbar (in the toolbar medu it is called "Calculate"). if you want to update calculation then select the sum and press F9 to update the total.

Also, there is another way to calculate sum via Insert a Field (press “Ctrl+ F9” to insert a field) in the cell to input formula to sum. Then to update the sum value automatically from manually updating values using Press “F9”

1.First you select the table by clicking the plus sign on the upper-left corner.

2.Then press “F9” to update.

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad