‘UNPARSEABLE’ Messages for Column Formula

Am new to Smartsheet

Have two columns; Duration Value and Work Effort

Trying to apply a formula to a third column, and then convert to a column formula, but keep getting ‘UNPARSEABLE’ Messages

The equation is follows: Work Effort / (Duration Value * 8)

Have tried every variation and function, but to no avail

 _Peter

Best Answers

  • Kelly Drake
    Kelly Drake Overachievers Alumni
    Answer ✓

    Unparsable is saying something is wrong with the syntax of your formula. Something in Work Effort or Duration is not a value so it's not multiplying correctly.


    Also - the parentheses here are all out of sorts. You don't need to wrap parentheses around the numerator and then the denominator - order of operations will apply.

    If you need to multiply the fraction by 8 use: =VALUE(([Work Effort]@ROW / [Duration Value]@ROW )* 8)

    If you need to multiply the denominator by 8 prior to the divide use : =VALUE([Work Effort]@ROW / ([Duration Value]@ROW * 8))

    Kelly Drake (she/her/hers)

    STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY| business optimization product manager

  • Kelly Moore
    Kelly Moore Community Champion
    Answer ✓

    @PJM

    The unparseable is referring to the capitalized @ROW. This must be lower case. @row

    Kelly

Answers

  • Andrée Starå
    Andrée Starå Community Champion
    edited 12/14/22

    Hi @PJM

    I hope you're well and safe!

    Can you share the actual formula?

    Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

    Best,

    Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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  • PJM
    PJM ✭✭

    As mentioned, tried many, but here are a few samples:

    =VALUE ([Work Effort]@ROW / [Duration Value]@ROW * 8)

    =VALUE (([Work Effort]@ROW) / ([Duration Value]@ROW) * 8))

    =(([Work Effort]@ROW / ([Duration Value]) * 8))

  • Kelly Drake
    Kelly Drake Overachievers Alumni
    Answer ✓

    Unparsable is saying something is wrong with the syntax of your formula. Something in Work Effort or Duration is not a value so it's not multiplying correctly.


    Also - the parentheses here are all out of sorts. You don't need to wrap parentheses around the numerator and then the denominator - order of operations will apply.

    If you need to multiply the fraction by 8 use: =VALUE(([Work Effort]@ROW / [Duration Value]@ROW )* 8)

    If you need to multiply the denominator by 8 prior to the divide use : =VALUE([Work Effort]@ROW / ([Duration Value]@ROW * 8))

    Kelly Drake (she/her/hers)

    STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY| business optimization product manager

  • Kelly Moore
    Kelly Moore Community Champion
    Answer ✓

    @PJM

    The unparseable is referring to the capitalized @ROW. This must be lower case. @row

    Kelly

  • PJM
    PJM ✭✭

    Thank You Kelly Drake & Kelly Moore; needed both suggestions to make it work!


    Peter

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