Fields not summing correctly. Total wrong!!

That would be Acrobat 9 on Windows 7.

It is very difficult to determine what could be the cause for the problem with the information given.

It could be simply wrong calculation logic, it could be wrong calculation order, it could be because numbers are concatenated instead of added, it could be wrong formatting, just to name a few…

HTH.

Max Wyss.

Thanks for the response. It's simply addition, a simple matter of going to the Calculate tab and choosing the auto-sum option, simply picking the fields from a premade list, no typing involved, no code involved. It's not possible to make a mistake (unless you don't know what "sum" means). None of my field names contain spaces. You can't choose the logic order using this method, I tried that but Acrobat reorders it (alphabetically).

I have since handwritten all of my calculations using the "Simple field notation" option instead, typing everything by hand. Using this method, the calculations seem to be working (10x5=50).
This is simply stupid! The method of entry that is subject to the most user error (hand typing) is the only one that seems to be reliable (though I don't trust it at all now). The auto calculations cannot be trusted. My form contains legal numbers. If I have to wade through this much troubleshooting just to add 1+1 and have it show 2, in a product of this sophistication, something's wrong.
What a waste of time.

The way I understand your first message is that you do calculations on some fields, and then further calculations on those results. This leads to the prime suspect: incorrect calculation order.

In Acrobat 9, you can set the calculation order as follows:

Menu Forms --> Add or edit form fields (this brings you into the form edit mode)Menu Forms --> Edit Fields --> Set field calculation orderIn the dialog, you can change the position of the fields representing the order in which they are calculated. Make sure that fields depending on other calculated results are below the fields with the first calculations.

Confirm and quit the form editing mode.

Try again.

This has become more an issue with the dumbed down possibilities to define calculations.

HTH.

Max Wyss.

Thanks Max. It turns out, that's what it was. Although I have done plenty of this type of thing in other programs, this is the first time for major calculations using Acrobat. I didn't even know about this field order window until it was pointed out. Somehow they should connect this field order process a little more with the calculation process so you don't have to waste your time going through all of this.
So, now viewing the little "click up and down" window which shows only some of my 40 fields requiring constant scrolling and clicking, I'm anticipated another wasted hour doing this. What are they thinking when they design stupid things like this! But at least it's do-able and I know my calculations will be correct (hoping).

I can usually success at whatever complicated task I pursue, however, I'm. more and more, looking for the auto-method of doing things. I do like the dumbed down calculations, and would like more of it in Acrobat.
Thanks again.

The problem with this dumbed down user interface is that it works only for the most simplistic applications. Because it leads to many little bits and pieces of calculation, the calculation order issue becomes more and more severe, and (but that is not the topic here) the performance of the form goes down the drain.

As soon as you have to do a little bit more than adding 2 and 2 once in your form, it does make much sense to consolidate all the calculations into one single script (yes, it requires that you do learn something, so it is not for the down dumbeders). With that you have full and absolute control over your calculation, and you prevent your form from being a debugging and maintenance nightmare. And, the form will be much faster.

HTH.

Max Wyss.