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Error message when you try to edit a formula that does not contain a comma as a list separator in Project 2007: The formula contains a syntax error or contains a reference to an unrecognized field or function name

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Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

This article contents is Microsoft Copyrighted material.
©2005-©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Trademarks

Article ID: 927606 - Last Review: September 18, 2011 - Revision: 3.0

Error message when you try to edit a formula that does not contain a comma as a list separator in Project 2007: "The formula contains a syntax error or contains a reference to an unrecognized field or function name"

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You use Microsoft Office Project Web Access to create a new enterprise custom field definition. In the enterprise custom field definition, you enter a formula that resembles the following example:
IIf([Duration] > 0; "Yes"; "No")
In this scenario, when you try to edit the new formula, you receive the following error message:
The formula contains a syntax error or contains a reference to an unrecognized field or function name.
When you view the formula, the formula is not displayed correctly. Additionally the formula is missing field names. The example formula will appear as follows:
IIf([MSPJ188743709] > 0; "Yes"; "No")

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the formula does not contain a comma as a list separator. This problem also occurs if you do not use a comma as a list separator when you edit a new or existing formula. In this case, when you save the formula, the formula is corrupted.

This problem occurs if the List Separator value is not a comma in the Regional and Language Options in Control Panel.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, change the List Separator value to a comma in the Regional and Language Options. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Regional and Language Options.
  2. On the Regional Options tab, click Customize.
  3. In the Customize Regional Options dialog box, click the comma in the List Separator list, and then click OK two times.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007
Keywords: 
kbtshoot kbprb kbexpertiseinter KB927606
       

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Claudio Hidetoshi Report As Irrelevant  
Written: 9/11/2007 11:16 AM
My workstation is configured with comma list separator, but the server doesn't. When I save the formula, all is OK. But when a edit the formula again, the formula comes with semicolon.