[Solved] Extraneous characters in formulas

[DWDun]

Is there any reason for, or cure for, extraneous characters added into random places in a correctly created Formula? Things like *, [], excerpts ofaddresses from the Documents folder, there seems to be no limit to what Open Office Calc 4.1.15 can add to Fourmulas and then give an Err510 or Err533,which I can find no information about. It performs identically with Formulas created by hand or by using the Function Wizard. This thing has had me treed for over a week so any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.

[MrProgrammer]

Is there any reason for, or cure for, extraneous characters added into random places in a correctly created Formula?

Attach a spreadsheet demonstrating the difficulty (remove confidential information then use Post Reply, not Quick Reply, and don't attach a picture instead of the spreadsheet itself). I will not help further unless you attach a spreadsheet document. Specify which cell on which sheet contains the formula you're asking about.

• Did the formula initially work correctly - yes or no?
• If yes, do you know what action caused the formula to stop working?
• If yes, what was that action, for example, saving and re-opening.
• Do you ever open the spreadsheet with a different application, for example, Excel?
• Do you save the spreadsheet in an ODS file, or it it an different type like XLS or CSV?
• If you weren't using an ODS file can you reproduce the problem with an ODS file?

I won't be able to help unless you answer these questions. I never experience this problem myself.

[Zizi64]

Have tried another input devices (mouse, keyboard, etc...)? Faulty input devices can cause such phenomena.

[RoryOF]

Are these extraneous characters arising on a laptop? If so, it might be good to tweak the touchpad settings to disable the touchpad while the keyboard is in use.

[DWDun]

I found the cause for one inclusion, but it is still giving me an Err510. Here is the schematic of the Formula with the sensitive parts removed,

I = INTEGER 1 II = INTEGER 2 III = INTEGER 3
B = BOOLEAN TRUE T = TEXT & = ATTACH

F(AND( B1 ; B2 );
CONCATENATE( &T )
IF( B3 ; &T ; &T)
IF( B4; &IF( B5 ; &T ; &T ) ; “” )
IF( B6 ; IF( B7 ; &T ; “” ) &T &II IF( B8; &T; &T ) ; “” )
IF( B9; IF( B10; &T ; “” ) &III IF( B12; &T ; &T ) ; “” )
&T)
; )

It was inserting a shifted 8, (*), immediately after the B12 entry. It no longer does that but still gives me an Err510 and puts two extra )) on the end of the Formula.

The answers to your questions:
1, This is actually a re-write of a previously correct and useful Formula, but the old one has no bearing on this one. Entirely unrelated.
2.
3.
4. I have no other application to open it in, including Microsoft Excel. Figured Open Office Calc was all I'd ever need.
5. The .ods extension is all I have ever used.
6.

In my travails with this problem I have also encoubtered other error messages but seems like I have eleminated all Err510, and it is a hair puller. I had never encountered a problem like this before either and hope I never do again, but if I do I will either go back to the old less-elegant Formula, or I will give up programming Spreadsheets altogether.
I do appreciate your effort, expertise and assistance.

[DWDun]

In the schematic of the Function provided, the ) immediately after the CONCATENATE( &T should not be there and does not appear in the Formula itself as Calc sees it.

[Alex1]

Do you prepare your formulas in another program? Calc needs plain ASCII quotation marks (22h), not the curved ones that appear in your message.

[DWDun]

I have always used whatever the keyboard provides and whatever that was, has atways performed as expexted/ I think we can rule out that possibility as a significant factor.

[keme]

I have always used whatever the keyboard provides and whatever that was, has atways performed as expexted/ I think we can rule out that possibility as a significant factor.

• We can of course rule that out.
  I consider that a bad idea, but you decide.
• We can also first try it, replacing all occurrences of “” in your formula with "".
  I believe that this is a better idea.

If you have kept default autocorrection settings after installing the suite, in data entry mode Calc will replace straight quotes with some kind of "typographic" quotes (curly, slanted, angled; which one may depend on your office version and language), but in formula entry mode everything typed will appear verbatim. If you first typed the formula logic, then added the leading equals sign as an "afterthought" (thus switching the cell from data entry to formula entry mode), this is where the error may have crept in.

The “” may of course have been introcuced by some autocorruption function in your browser or the forum software, and not exist in your Calc file. In that case the suggested fix will make no difference.
Not sure whether the apparent typos I colored when quoting you were a joke or a slip. Anyway, what the keyboard provides is usually what you ask for, which is not always what you meant, and some softwares in some contexts (even Calc, as explained above) will also second guess what you meant (autocorrupt) based on previous choices (like whether you keep or change the settings for "corrections"), to replace what the keyboard provided with something better, or worse.

Since you didn't attach a file, you are the only one who can access your actual formula entry. So, it is your choice whether to apply a relatively low effort suggestion, or to insist that the solution be sought elsewhere.

Final thought: I suspect that if you are not open to suggestions, not many helpers will be offering you any.

[DWDun]

How do I note this issue as solved, dropped, cancelled or otherwise?

[robleyd]

Tag your thread when it has been [Solved]

[DWDun]

Would you be more specific about what a thread is and where such might be found?

[Zizi64]

what a thread

A thread is: your question and the answers.

[robleyd]

If you read the link I posted above, I think it explains quite clearly.

[DWDun]

Clicking my question and the answers brings me to this page... now what? Please tell me how to post it as solved frm here now that I am here.

Edit: Since you are having trouble with the instructions I did that for you. Thank you for letting us know this topic is solved. -- MrProgrammer, forum moderator

[Hagar Delest]

Clicking my question and the answers brings me to this page... now what? Please tell me how to post it as solved frm here now that I am here.

What is not clear in the post explaining how to tag a topic solved? There are screenshots showing the relevant buttons.

[DWDun]

But you did not tell ME how to do it. Such as that would be a definite asset.

[Zizi64]

But you did not tell ME how to do it. Such as that would be a definite asset.

Everything is in the description linked by robleyd, just read it:

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