2. COMMON ERRORS IN MS
EXCEL
The following table shows Excel’s error values along
with the meaning and the most probable cause for its
appearance.
To remove an error value from a cell you need to figure
out what’s wrong with the formula and fix it.
3. Common Error Messages
##### Cell isn’t wide enough to show the
data.
#VALUE! Wrong type of data for a
function.
#DIV/0! Tried to divide by zero.
#NAME? Cell name not defined or
(usually) misspelled.
#REF! Cell reference is not valid.
#NUM! Function requires a number.
#NULL! Called a non-intersecting range of
cells.
#N/A No value available.
4. #####
MEANING-
-This column is not wide enough to display the
value i.e. the cell is too small for the value.
FIXES-
-Widen the column.
5. #VALUE!
MEANING-
-wrong type of argument.
-Wrong type of data for a function.
-Something wrong with the input to a formula.
FIXES-
-check operands & arguments and make sure
references are valid.
6. #DIV/0
MEANING-
-formula is attempting to divide by zero.
-The division operation in your formula refers to a
cell that contains the value 0 or is blank.
FIXES-
-change the value or cell references so that the
formula does not divide by zero.
7. #NAME?
MEANING
-formula is referencing an invalid or non-existent
name.
-Cell name not defined or (usually) misspelled.
FIXES-
-make sure the name still exists or correct the
spelling.
8. #REF!
MEANING-
excel cannot locate the referenced cells(for
example, referenced cells are deleted)
cell references are invalid.
FIXES-
click UNDO immediately to restore reference and
then change the formula references or convert
formulas to values.
9. #NUM!
MEANING-
-Incorrect use of a number(such as sort(-1)) , or
formula results in a number too large or too small to
be displayed.
-Function requires a number.
FIXES-
-make sure that the arguments are correct and that
the result is between -1*10 307 power.
10. #NULL!
MEANING-
-references to intersection of two areas that do not
intersect.
-Called a non-intersecting range of cells.
FIXES-
-check for typing and reference errors.
11. #N/A
MEANING-
-most commonly means no value is available or
inappropriate arguments were used.
- no value available.
FIXES-
-In a look up formula , be sure the look up table is
sorted correctly.
12. CORRECTING ERRORS:
Errors in Data and Formulas
To fix bad data, click on the cell and retype the
number.
To fix bad formulas, click the cell containing the
formula, then
highlight the error in the formula bar and make
corrections.
Excel Error Messages
The program can help spot errors.
Excel error messages begin with “#”.
