In MS-Word, a calculation using a formula is possible through which option?

2013

In MS-Word, a calculation using a formula is possible through which option?

  1. A.

    Insert > Autotext > Formula

  2. B.

    Table > Formula

  3. C.

    Format > Paragraph

  4. D.

    None of the above

Attempted by 37 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Concept

A table in MS Word is not just a layout grid - its cells can hold numeric values and Word can compute on them like a small spreadsheet. The dedicated tool that inserts such a calculation is the Formula command, which lives with the other table-editing commands (in classic-menu Word 2003 it sits on the Table menu; in ribbon versions it is under Table Tools / Layout, Data group).

Application

To calculate with a formula in a Word table:

  1. Click the table cell where the result should appear.

  2. Open the Table menu and choose Formula.

  3. In the Formula box, type an expression beginning with =, e.g. =SUM(ABOVE) or =SUM(LEFT), optionally pick a number format, and confirm.

So the correct route is Table > Formula.

Why not the others

  • Insert > Autotext > Formula - AutoText stores and inserts reusable blocks of text/graphics; it has no calculation engine, so no formula can be evaluated this way.

  • Format > Paragraph - this controls paragraph layout (indentation, spacing, alignment) and never performs arithmetic.

  • "None of the above" - incorrect, because a valid menu route to calculate does exist.

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