Knowledge Base

WD: Syntax Error After Changing Macintosh Number Format

Article ID: 178936

Article Last Modified on 11/21/2006

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q178936

SYMPTOMS

When you change the number format of your Macintosh system (for example, you change the number format to German) after you start Word, if you insert an equation field into your Word document similar to the following example

{ = 4 DM + 3 DM }

and you then press F9 with the insertion point inside the field to update it, you will get the following error message:
!Syntax Error, DM

CAUSE

This functionality is by design. Word will retain the number format used by the Macintosh system when Word was started. That is, Word will not automatically update the number format Word when it is changed during a Word session.

RESOLUTION

To use the current Macintosh Number Format in Word, quit and then restart Word.

MORE INFORMATION

You can use the Numbers control panel to change how numbers and currency are displayed. To change the number format, follow these steps:

  1. Quit Word.
  2. On the Apple menu, point to Control Panels, and then click Numbers.
  3. Change the Number Format to the desired language, and then click the close box.
The Macintosh system is now set to use the new number format you specified. When you restart Word, Word will use the new number format.

For more information about changing the number format on the Macintosh system, follow these steps:

  1. From the Finder, click Help on the Help menu.
  2. In the "Click a term or drag the slider" box, click to select "numbers, displaying."
  3. In the "Click a phrase, then click OK" box under "How do I," click to view the "change number and currency format?" topic, and then click OK.

Keywords: kbprb KB178936


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