How do I fix syntax error and missing random value in Numbers formulas after macOS Sequoia (15.4) update?

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How do I fix syntax error and missing random value in Numbers formulas after macOS Sequoia (15.4) update?

With this last update to Sequoia (15.4) I seem to have lost AT LEASt Rand and COMPARISON capability in numbers. I just tried to take a picture of what I was doing but neither scren shot works as well.

the formula is: If((a2/12)=a2/12),true,false, but it gives me an error, syntax error.

The other formula was Rand(a2*b2) and it totally skipped the Rand and give the resule of the a2*b2.

ANYONE???

WGB

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac 24″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Apr 24, 2025 9:33 AM

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Answer 1

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Camelot

Level 9

58,299 points

Apr 24, 2025 10:44 AM in response to Sparkgapper

I can't speak for the first IF() statement, since it looks valid (except for the parentheses, but I assume that's just a transcription error). Not sure why the screenshot wouldn't work.

For reference, the correct format for this command would be:

=IF((A2/12)=A2/12,TRUE,FALSE)

(indicating that you have an incorrect closing parentheses after =A2/12, which closes the IF() statement, thus throwing the TRUE/FALSE statements into the ether).

However, the RAND() example makes sense. I don't know/recall if it was different in previous versions, but the RAND() function doesn't take any parameters, so RAND(A2*B2) will throw an error. This should be written as:

=RAND()*A2 * B2

I can't think the syntax of this command has changed between versions, especially since this matches Excel's RAND() function, but I suppose it is possible.

I also don't know what you mean by COMPARISON since that's not a command I recognize.

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Answer 2

Sparkgapper Author

Level 1

61 points

Apr 24, 2025 3:36 PM in response to Camelot

The first one is not a valid formula as I only put the (TRUE,FALSE) in to complete it rather than the full formula which was quite long. BUT, this has been resolved as MY EYES were seeing a period and the screne had a comma.

As for the parantheses, there is supposed to be an INT between the first two opening Parentheses so that the result would be INTEGER. That way the only time the comparison would be TRUE is when it too was also an integer. The formula is either "Drag-fill" or copy select cells and paste so that the results would show up.

As to the second one, I had it in a very long fomula and after several attempts to 'get it right', I couldn't see what was wrong either, I just typed that in to see what would happens and it gave me that gthe stated result. HOWEVER, I just tried that again and it looks like there may be something the PERIODICALLY causes different situations in Number Formulas and the only way around it is to copy the entire sheet, close number and reopen it then paste into the new sheet the Clipboard and adjust the columns again.

Gues both these are resolved.

Tks for the advise as well though I do not even know hat to investigate what is causing my screen to darken, slider was almost left side and should be centered.

WGB

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How do I fix syntax error and missing random value in Numbers formulas after macOS Sequoia (15.4) update?

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