List of Various Excel Errors

MS Excel is popular for only its most useful automatic calculation feature, which we achieve by applying various functions and formulas. But while using formulas in Excel cell, we get multiple types of errors.

The error can be:

  • #DIV/0#N/A#NAME?#NULL!#NUM!#REF!#VALUE!#####Circular Reference

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We have various functions to deal with these errors, which are –

  • IFERROR FunctionISERROR FunctionISERROR FunctionISERROR is a logical function that determines whether or not the cells being referred to have an error. If an error is found, it returns TRUE; if no errors are found, it returns FALSE.read moreAGGREGATE Function

Types of Errors in Excel with Examples

1 – #DIV/0 Error

#DIV/0! Error is received when we work with a spreadsheet formula, which divides two values in a formula and the divisor (the number being divided by) is zero. It stands for divide by zero error.

Here, in the above image, we see that number 90 is divided by 0. That is why we get the #DIV/0! Error.

The first and foremost solution is to divide only with cells with a value not equal to zero. But there are situations when we also have empty cells in a spreadsheet. In that case, we can use the IF function as below.

2 – #N/A Error

This error means “no value available” or “not available.” It indicates that the formula cannot find the value that we suppose it may return. 

  • Suppose we are getting a #DIV/0! Error as follows: To avoid this error, we can use the IF function as follows:

For example, using Excel’s VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, MATCHMATCHThe MATCH function looks for a specific value and returns its relative position in a given range of cells. The output is the first position found for the given value. Being a lookup and reference function, it works for both an exact and approximate match. For example, if the range A11:A15 consists of the numbers 2, 9, 8, 14, 32, the formula “MATCH(8,A11:A15,0)” returns 3. This is because the number 8 is at the third position. read more, and LOOKUP functions, we may get this error if we do not find referenced value in the source data as an argument.

  • When the source data and the lookup value are not of the same data type:

In the above example, we have entered “Roll No. of Students” as a number, but the roll numbers of students are stored as text in the source data. That is why the #N/A error appears.

To resolve this error, we can either enter the roll number as text-only or use the TEXT formula in excelUse The TEXT Formula In ExcelTEXT function in excel is a string function used to change a given input to the text provided in a specified number format. It is used when we large data sets from multiple users and the formats are different.read more in the VLOOKUP Function.

We can use the TEXT function in the VLOOKUP function for the lookup_value argument to convert entered numbers to TEXT.

We could also use the IFERROR function in excel to display the message if VLOOKUP cannot find the referenced value in the source data.

3 – #NAME? Error

This error is displayed when we usually misspell the function name.

We can see in the above image that VLOOKUP is not spelled correctly; that is why #NAME? Error is being displayed.

To resolve the error, we need to correct the spelling.

4 – #NULL! Error

This error is usually displayed when cell referencesCell ReferencesCell reference in excel is referring the other cells to a cell to use its values or properties. For instance, if we have data in cell A2 and want to use that in cell A1, use =A2 in cell A1, and this will copy the A2 value in A1.read more are not specified correctly.

We get this error when we do not use the space character appropriately. The space character is called the “intersect operator,” which specifies the range that intersects each other at any cell.

In the below image, we have used the space character, but the ranges A2:A12 and B2:B12 are not intersecting; that is why this error is displayed.

In the below image, we can see that the sum of range B2:B12 is being displayed in cell D2 as while specifying a range for SUM function, we have picked up two references (with space character), which overlap each other for range B2:B12. That is why the sum of the B2:B12 range is displayed.

#NULL! an error can also be displayed when we use intersect operator (space character) instead of:

  • Mathematical Operator (Plus Sign) to sum.Range Operator (Colon Sign) to specify the start and end cell for a range.Union Operator (Comma Sign) to separate individual cell references.

5 – #NUM! Error

This error is usually displayed when a number for any function argument is found invalid.

To find out the square root in excelSquare Root In ExcelThe Square Root function is an arithmetic function built into Excel that is used to determine the square root of a given number. To use this function, type the term =SQRT and hit the tab key, which will bring up the SQRT function. Moreover, this function accepts a single argument.read more of a negative number is not possible as the square of a number always has to be positive.

To solve the error, we need to make the number positive.

MS Excel has a range of numbers that we can use. The number smaller than the shortest number or number greater than the longest number due to the function can return an error.

Here, we can see that we have written the formula as 2^8000, which yields results greater than the longest number; that is why #NUM! Error is being displayed.

6 – #REF! Error

This error stands for reference error. This error usually comes when

  • We accidentally deleted the cell which we referenced in the formula.We cut and paste the referenced cell in different locations.

As we deleted cell B7, then cell C7 shifted left to take the place of B7, and we got a reference error in the formula as we deleted one of the referenced cells of the formula.

7 – #VALUE! Error

This error comes when we use the wrong data type for a function or formula. For example, we can add only numbers. But if we use any other data type like text, this error will be displayed.

8 – ###### Error

This error is displayed when the column width in excelColumn Width In ExcelA user can set the width of a column in an excel worksheet between 0 and 255, where one character width equals one unit. The column width for a new excel sheet is 8.43 characters, which is equal to 64 pixels.read more is not enough to show the stored value in the cell.

In the below image, dates and times are written in the cells. But, as column width is not enough, ##### is being displayed.

To resolve the error, we need to increase the column width as per requirement using the “Column Width” command available in the “Format” menu in the “Cell Size” group under the “Home” tab, or we can double click on the right border of the column.

9 – Circular Reference Error

This type of error comes when we reference the same cell in which we are writing the function or formula.

The above image shows that we have a sum of 0 as we have referenced B4 in the B4 cell itself for calculation.

Whenever we create this type of circular reference in excelCircular Reference In ExcelA circular reference in Excel refers to the same cell we are working on. A circular reference is a type of pop-up or warning displayed by Excel that we are using a circular reference in our formula and the calculation might be incorrect. read more, Excel alerts us about the same too.

To resolve the error, we need to remove the reference for the B4 cell.

Function to Deal with Excel Errors

1 – ISERROR Function

This function is used to check whether there would be an error after applying the function or not.

2 – AGGREGATE Function

This function ignores error values. Therefore, when we know that there can be an error in the source data, we need to use this function instead of the SUM, COUNT function, etc.

We can see that the AGGREGATE functionAGGREGATE FunctionAGGREGATE Function in excel returns the aggregate of a given data table or data lists.read more avoids error values.

Things to Remember

  • To resolve any error in the formula, we can take online help also. First, we need to click on the “Insert Function” button under the “Formulas” tab and choose “Help on this function.”

  • To avoid the #NAME? Error, we can choose the desired function from the drop-down list opened when we start typing any function in the cell, followed by the “=” sign. Next, we need to press the “Tab” button on the keyboard to select a function.

This article is a guide to Errors in Excel. Here, we discuss the top types of errors in Excel and functions to deal with them with the help of examples. You can learn more about Excel from the following articles: –

  • VLOOKUP Errors in ExcelCalculate Standard ErrorShortcut to Edit Excel CellsPayslip Template in Excel