Word 2003 Using Form Fields and memory error

[nicksims]

I'm using the Form toolbar in a multi-page word doc to do a bunch of basic calculations. I'm using the doc as quote worksheet. The purpose is to make entries and have those entries do the math. ie. enter the number of pages, enter a cost per page, it multiplies the two and I have my answer. Then that answer will be added to quite a few other entries.

Right now the doc is 10 pages.

While I am editing and still creating this doc, I am getting the following error message while testing a few Form boxes to see if they are calculating correctly...
"Word has insufficient memory. You will not be able to undo this action once it is completed. Do you want to continue?"

I know I am using many Form boxes and creating many calculations (all of which are simple). But can I really have too many in just 10 pages? I would like to avoid breaking up the doc into multiple docs.

What am I misssing? Have I really pushed Word to the limit with all of the calculating Form fields?

Thanks.
Nick

 

[fumei]

What is your hardware and memory? Do you have any other apps open?

Gerry

 

[nicksims]

WinXp. 1gb memory. Running Win2003. Norton 2004. All updated regularly.

The impression I got from the error (generated by Word and not Windows) was that Word was having the memory issue and not the computer itself. I normally have Illustrator cs2 and 1 or 2 other programs all open at the same time. I'm ususally using about 1/2 to 2/3 of the memory. During this recent issue, only about 1/3 of the available memory. Oh, and while Word is having this issue, no other software has this problem. So far.

I found (from the word.mvps.org site) a FAQ that addressed memory issues. I looked for the virus it recommended and not found. I then deleted all *.tmp files and ~.$*.do files that it said could be affecting Word. No luck. I tried the test doc again (which gets opened from a template) and about 1/3 of the way through got the same error. I clicked on Yes to continue and it continues. I'm not sure if it will finish successfully.

I guess if it is a Word issue with the document having too many calculations, well, I'm just surprised. I just don't imagine that my little 10 pages should be too much. Anybody have the same problem?

Thank you for any suggestions.
Nick

 

[nicksims]

I'll add that in the problem document there are no graphics, animations, etc... to hog memory. Just text (with some formatting and a little color) and the form boxes.

Nick

 

[fumei]

OK, how are the calculations being processed? By OnExit macros from the formfields?

Gerry

 

[nicksims]

I'm using the same method througout- Form Field Options. The Type box is Calculation. The Expression is in the "=" format (and has been calculating correctly. The Max Length box has been left as Unlimited. The number format varies depending on the numbers being used- sometimes a whole number, sometimes "$".

I have the Calculate on Exit box checked. The Bookmarks are being used, and when correct, calculate correctly.

I have not been using macros.

Thank you.

Nick

 

[fumei]

How many are there?

Is it possible to port this over to Excel and have it return the calculation to the Word document?

Gerry

 

[nicksims]

Throughout the document, there are over 100 of the form fields. But while most are calculations, not all. I'd say about 2/3 are calculations. The rest are mainly text entries.

I haven't tried the Excel route, but will try. I also have Adobe Designer and might try that. I stuck with Word since I had invested so much time into the original form. Maybe it is time to try something new?

I have used the forms before, but not in a doc that is 10 pages long.

Thanks.
Nick

 

[fumei]

I am trying to grasp all of this. OK, you have say 70 formfields, set for Calculate on Exit. But are you actually exiting them? Is the document protected? Are you moving through them? I am wondering if Word is constantly running through them in some sort of loop.

I am going to set up a document and try to duplicate this.

Gerry

 

[nicksims]

What I did was create a worksheet to figure the cost of invitations we create. How many, what size pages, what size pages can be cut out of large sheets of paper (2' x 3'). Take the total page count, multiply that times the cost per item and I've got my cost for that part of the invitation. Than I've got the next page of calculations for say the RSVP and then repeat all this for Thank You cards. Once each of these groups has been calculated, it takes all three sub-totals, adds them and gives me a final quote for the client. There are some more layers within each section (for example, the invitation ususally consists of 2-4 layers of paper- each to be calculated and costs calculated, added...).

In the end, the initial section was working quite nicely. I was able to get it to calculate the Grand Total cost, a cost per invitation, cost per envelope... plenty of details that I would need to see written out.

It seems to have gotten bogged down once I make the darn thing 10 pages. I figured since one section worked, lets continue with all the elements of the invitation.

As for the loop, there is some "looping" going on. Numbers from all the pages are eventually added together. So it is constantly adding numbers every time I enter a number in a calculation box. I may have gotten a bit out of control once I realized that I could add a cost from section 1, a cost from section 2, etc... and them all up and divide by a number entered in the very beginning (the total count of invitations). I also liked how I could see a running total of the per invitation cost every time I made a change- say for example the client changed there mind as to which paper to use. I input a new cost for the paper and Voila! All the calculations were done and I've instantly got a new per invitation cost and grand total.

I hope this explained my work a little better.

Thanks again for your assistance.
Nick

 

[fumei]

yeah.....your looping is a problem. Uh, you know...this IS more of an Excel kind of thing.

Gerry

 

[nicksims]

I think I was in a bit of denial since I normally use Excel for reading a document, not creating one.

It's time for me to use the correct program!

Thank you for your efforts.
Nick