How can I connect tables through formulas in microsoft word 2007?

Question

I have 2 seperate tables with some different amounts added up in each of them, but in the 2nd table i would like to take the number i have in the 1st seperate table and add it to the number in the 2nd table. So that when I cange a number in the first table I can simply go through and hit update field in the second table and the new sum will appear.. Is there a way to do this? The tables have to be seperate

Answer 1

Yes, this can be done in a Word table.  

In your first table you need to add a formula.  For example, if you have numbers in a column and you want to put a total at the bottom of that column, click in that cell, then click Layout, click Formula (at the far right of the toolbar).  A dialog box opens with the following formula already filled in:  =SUM(ABOVE).  Click OK.

Then, to put this same total in your second table, you have to create a bookmark first.  Go back to your first table and highlight the total that you created (it should be grey which indicates a field code).  With it highlighted or selected, click on Insert on the menu bar.  There is a section on the toolbar called Links and an icon for Bookmark.  Click the Bookmark icon.  Give the bookmark a name, like "total" (don't use any spaces).  

Now go to your second table and place your cursor in the cell where you want the total from table 1 to appear.  Then click Layout on the menu bar, click the Formula button again, but this time your going to click on the down arrow next to Paste Bookmark.  The bookmark that you created should be listed.  Click on it.  In the formula field it should have an equal sign with the name of your bookmark.  Click OK.

Now you should have the same total in each table.  To update them, you need to click on them and press F9.

Hope this makes sense.