Having trouble using SUM in MS Works spreadsheet v.6

I'm trying to add a row of ones --- the number one. There are 14 of them. I've tried using AutoSum, Easy Calculator, and entering the formula "=SUM(B6:W6)" manually in the cell at the end of the row. I get 1 as the answer. Why????
What could I possibly be doing wrong? By the way, the cells are formulated for numbers, not text, etc.
Please, someone, help me.
My OS is XP. Do you need any other information?
aks

 

It should work unless the cell contents aren't right somehow.

Just as a test, try =B6+C6+D6+.... (to the end one) and do it with mouse clicks on the cells after you put in the = to specify it is a formula.

If that works and =SUM fails, something very strange is happening.

Is this happening in all your spreadsheets?

Does it happen with B6,B7,B8, etc.? so vertical as well as horizontal?

 

Thank you.

Newt, I finally got it to work. I selected them all and formatted the cells "Number," rather than "General." The only problem with that (even though it worked) is that now the #sign shows, rather than the actual number, itself.
Is that the way it should be?
I'm just learning about spreadsheets; this is my first one. Thanx for your help.
aks

 

##### usually shows up if you have a number that is too large for the cell. Making the row/column larger should have the number display properly.

 

Mmmm, the number was "1 "

Newt, the number was "1." Does that still make sense???
Alice