XL2000: COUNTA Function Changed to COUNT

When you open a file in Microsoft Excel 2000, worksheet formulas that contain the COUNTA function may be changed so that they use the COUNT function instead. Also, depending on your data, the value returned by the formula that uses the COUNT function may be changed.

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

• You create the file in Microsoft Excel.
  
  -and-
• You use the COUNTA worksheet function.
  
  -and-
• You save the file in the Lotus 1-2-3 .wk1 format, and then reopen the file.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Open the .wk1 file on a computer running a version of Microsoft Excel earlier than Excel 97.
2. In this earlier version of Microsoft Excel, click Save As on the File menu.
3. In the Save As dialog box, change the name of the file. Then, select a different file format, such as Microsoft Excel Workbook or WK3(1-2-3), in the Save as type list.
4. Click Save.

When you open the file in Microsoft Excel 2000, the COUNTA function is retained.

NOTE: Lotus 1-2-3 does not support the COUNTA function. Also, when you open a .wk1 or .wks file in Microsoft Excel, the COUNT function is not automatically converted to the COUNTA function.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

For more information about the Count function, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type counta worksheet function in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.