XL97: Syntax Errors Calculating Functions or Opening a Workbook

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you recalculate values in a Microsoft Excel workbook that contains a custom function, the Visual Basic Editor may be started and you may receive the following error message:

   Compile Error:
   Syntax Error

If you attempt to close the Visual Basic Editor or reset the custom function, the error message continues to appear.

NOTE: This problem may also occur when you open a Microsoft Excel workbook; functions in a workbook are calculated when you open it.

CAUSE

This problem is caused by a syntax error in a custom function. The error message appears to be in a loop because the error message appears for each cell in the workbook that calls the custom function.

WORKAROUND

To resolve this problem, correct the syntax error in the custom function. Before you can make the proper corrections, you must dismiss the error messages. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Reset on the Standard toolbar in the Visual Basic Editor.

2. Click OK for each error message.

3. Continue with steps 1 and 2 until no error messages appear.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.