The Microsoft Excel File Format - OpenOffice.org

3 Formulas
• Step 2: Forced Array Class
If the token is part of a function parameter (directly or indirectly, for example nested in another function), transformation
of the token class is dependent on the expected token classes of all involved functions. For this purpose, a Boolean state
“forced array class” is carried, and it will be updated whenever processing of a new function parameter is started. If this
state is set to true already, nothing will be changed (the state is still true). If the state is false, it will be changed to true,
if one of the following conditions is met:
• In cell type formulas: if the parameter expects array class, or
• In array type formulas: if the parameter expects reference class or array class, or
• In name type formulas: if the parameter expects reference class or array class, or if the function returns a value with
value class or array class.
The forced array class state will be restored, when the entire function parameter is processed. The state starts with false
at root level of all formula types.
As described below, the cell formula =ABS(A1) changes its tRefR token to value class (tRefV). The formula
=MDETERM(ABS(A1)) behaves differently: The first parameter of the MDETERM function expects array
class. Therefore the “forced array class” state is set to true, when the parameter (the term SUM(A1)) is started.
This state is the reason that the tRefR token will be changed to array class (tRefA), regardless that the ABS
function does not indicate this. When the parameter is completed, the forced array class state is restored to its
old value (false).
• Step 3: Token Class Transformation
Token class transformation is dependent on the expected token class of the current position in the formula.
• Current position is a function parameter expecting a reference class token (for example the parameters of the SUM
function), or it is the root level of a name type formula (for example the return value of the outer function in a defined
name):
▪ Reference class tokens are not modified.
▪ Value class tokens will be changed dependent on further conditions. In array type functions and name type
functions, or if the forced array class state is set, it is changed to array class. In all other cases (cell type formula
without forced array class), value class is retained.
▪ Array class tokens are not modified.
Examples for reference class tokens, when reference class is expected:
• In the formula =SUM(A1), the tRefR token is not modified (function parameter expects reference class).
• In the defined name =Sheet1!A1, the tRef3dR token is not modified (root level of a name type formula).
Examples for value class tokens, when reference class is expected:
• In the cell formula =SUM(PI()), the tFuncV(PI) token is not modified (cell formula, no forced array class).
• In the array formula {=SUM(PI())}, the tFuncV(PI) token is set to array class (array type formula).
• In the cell formula =MDETERM(SUM(PI())), the tFuncV(PI) token is set to array class (forced array
class in MDETERM function parameter).
Examples for array class tokens, when reference class is expected:
• In the formula =SUM({1}), the tArrayA token is not modified.
• In the defined name ={1}, the tArrayA token is not modified (root level of a name type formula).
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