Inserting calculations |
  
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Inserting calculations |
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Calculations can be inserted into the text via the ribbon command Insert | Field 
| Calculation. Alternatively, here: References | Field or Mailings | Field or simply the F2 key.
If you choose this command, the program displays a dialog box in which you enter the formula. The formula may contain up to 255 characters. After confirming with OK, the result of the calculation will be in the text (maximum 100 characters).
Options: You can specify the format of the result with the options Decimals, Thousands separator and Hide result. For more information, see Formatting and rounding calculations.
Inserting calculations
A simple example to illustrate the use of the calculation command:
You want to calculate the volume of a swimming pool that measures 23x13x7 feet. To do so, proceed as follows:
| 1. | Type the text "The volume is: ", for example. |
| 2. | Choose the ribbon command Insert | group Text | Field | Calculation or press F2. |
| 3. | Enter "23*13*7" for Formula and confirm with OK. |
The result is now inserted into the text: 2093.
Although this number "2093" looks like normal text, it is actually a field, that is, an iconic placeholder for the calculation "23*13*7". You can see this if you enable the option Display field names on the View tab in the dialog box of the ribbon command File | Properties. Then {formula: 23*13*7} appears in the text instead of 2093.
Tip: You can switch the option Display field names even faster using the shortcut keys Alt+F9. Alternatively, you can use the Field names button on the ribbon tab Mailings | group Fields. The respective mode is adopted at the same time by choosing File | Properties 
and the "View" tab.
Editing calculations
The formula for the calculation can be changed at any time. Select the result "2093" and choose the ribbon command Insert | Field | Calculation again. The formula 23*13*7 is displayed in the dialog box. If the swimming pool has different dimensions, simply change the formula accordingly. After you confirm with OK, the recalculated result will be in the text.
Tip: You can also open the dialog box by double-clicking directly on the field.
More information
For more information on inserting calculations, see the next pages. The information covers the following topics: