Syntax error when adding numbers in cell

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Level 1

8 points

Syntax error when adding numbers in cell

Hi.

I used to type "=3.7+2.3" into a cell, and get automatically the result "6" displayed. After the last update Numbers raises a syntax error for such expressions, but not for "=3+3", which still displays "6" as output.

I guess this is related to custom preferences about digit separators, since I manually changed from my regional convention to the international standard. When I revert back to default, the syntax error disappears. Before the last update all worked fine, however.

Thanks.

MacBook Pro 13”, macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 11, 2020 1:19 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Wayne Contello

Level 7

26,625 points

Apr 11, 2020 8:31 AM in response to federico94

the decimal separator you use must be consistent with the region you are using. If you want to change it for a saved document you are using now, select the Numbers menu item "File > Advanced > Language & Region…"

then change as needed.

For an unsaved document, you should use the same format you have selected for your system

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Answer 2

Badunit

Level 7

30,300 points

Apr 21, 2020 6:51 PM in response to federico94

I am not understanding. You set both the regional AND "my settings" in System preferences? If that is what you meant, how do you set both a regional and your own settings there and how does the computer know which to use for each software application?

As a possible solution, check out the menu item Numbers/File/Advanced/Language&Region and pick an English region that meets your criteria? I assume you could then save it as a template and make it your default template.

A second solution would be in System Preferences to create a second "preferred language". The second one would have your decimal/comma settings. You can then switch between the two up on the menu bar at the top right of the screen.

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Answer 3

Badunit

Level 7

30,300 points

Apr 21, 2020 6:57 PM in response to Badunit

Oh, I see, you set different setting for Numbers in the "Apps" section of System Preferences/Language&Region.

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Answer 4

Apr 21, 2020 1:32 PM in response to federico94

single click the triangle in the cell with the error. what is the message?

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Answer 5

federico94 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 22, 2020 12:31 AM in response to Badunit

No. I set the international convention instead of the regional for the whole computer.

I (almost) solved the problem. It is an issue of some files only. If I create new files it all works fine.

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Answer 6

federico94 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 21, 2020 10:20 AM in response to Wayne Contello

Yes, I am being consistent with the settings. Let me be more explicit.

Regional settings: comma as separator for decimals, dot for thousands.

My settings: dot as separator for decimals, none for thousands.

As I do this from the system preferences, mathematical expressions stop to work even if they employ my convention. It all worked fine in the previous Numbers version; only now it raises the syntax error.

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Answer 7

federico94 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 21, 2020 3:11 PM in response to Wayne Contello

Just "The formula contains a syntax error."

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Syntax error when adding numbers in cell

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