--- loncom/interface/Attic/lonspreadsheet.pm	2002/10/25 15:58:35	1.128
+++ loncom/interface/Attic/lonspreadsheet.pm	2002/10/25 19:47:14	1.129
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #
-# $Id: lonspreadsheet.pm,v 1.128 2002/10/25 15:58:35 matthew Exp $
+# $Id: lonspreadsheet.pm,v 1.129 2002/10/25 19:47:14 matthew Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -828,8 +828,8 @@ sub expandnamed {
         foreach $parameter (keys(%c)) {
             push @matches,$parameter if ($parameter =~ /$expression/);
         }
-        if (scalar(@matches )== 0) {
-            return;
+        if (scalar(@matches) == 0) {
+            $returnvalue = 'unmatched parameter: '.$parameter;
         } elsif (scalar(@matches) == 1) {
             $returnvalue = '$c{\''.$matches[0].'\'}';
         } elsif (scalar(@matches) > 0) {
@@ -840,6 +840,10 @@ sub expandnamed {
                     $returnvalue = '$c{\''.$_.'\'}';
                 }
             }
+        } else {
+            # There was a negative number of matches, which indicates 
+            # something is wrong with reality.  Better warn the user.
+            $returnvalue = 'bizzare parameter: '.$parameter;
         }
         return $returnvalue;
     }
@@ -946,8 +950,7 @@ ENDDEFS
 }
 
 #
-# This is actually used for the student spreadsheet, not the assessment sheet
-# Do not be fooled by the name!
+#
 #
 sub templaterow {
     my $sheet = shift;