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Errors in Microsoft Excel - 074358

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15 views2 pages

Errors in Microsoft Excel - 074358

Uploaded by

khanjay1104
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BCS-O2-0048-2024

ERRORS IN MICROSOFT EXCEL.


An error in Excel occurs when a program cannot interpret or process a formula, value, or function
correctly. The following are some examples of common errors in Excel;

#DIV/0!(Division by Zero)
This is caused by attempting to divide number by zero or an empty cell. Example:=A1/B1 where B1 is zero
or empty cell.
Resolution: Check the denominator to ensure it’s not zero or blank.

#VALUE!(Invalid Value)
It’s caused by inserting incorrect data types used in a formula or attempting arithmetic with text values.
Example inserting text instead of number i.e. =”text”+ 5
Resolutions:
 Ensure that data types are correct.
 Use VALUE() to convert text to numbers if applicable

#REF!(Invalid Reference)
It is caused when a cell reference in a formula is deleted or invalid. For example deleting a row or column
that is referenced in a formula.
Resolution:
 Is to avoid deleting referenced cells.
 Update the formula so as to point to valid references.
 Use named ranges as they automatically adjust.

#NAME!(Unrecognized Text)
This is due typing errors in function names or undefined name ranges. Also missing of quotationmarks
around text in formulas. Example =SUMM(A1:A10) instead of =SUM(A1:A10).
Resolution:
 Verify spellings of functions and ranges.
 Ensure all text strings are enclosed in double quotes.

#N/A(No Available Value)


This is caused when lookup functions like VLOOKUP or MATCH fail to find a match. Example =VLOOKUP(5,
A1:B10, 2, FALSE) where 5 is not in column A.
Resolution:
 Check for the data for a value being searched.
 Use IFERROR to handle missing values. For example =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(5, A1:B10, 2, FALSE),
“Not Found”)

#NUM!(Invalid Number)
This is when invalid numeric operations like taking the square root of a negative number or using out-of-
range numbers. Example =SQRT(-1)

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BCS-O2-0048-2024

Resolution:
 Correct the numeric inputs.
 For errors in iterative calculations adjust setting in Formula to Enable iterative calculations.

#NULL!(Null Intersection)
This is caused by using space instead of a comma or a colon in a formula or referring to ranges that don’t
intersect. Example =A1 A2 instead of =A1,A2
Resolution: Is to use correct operations

######(Column Width Issue)


This is when the column is too narrow to display the content often for dates or large numbers.
Resolution: Widen the column by dragging the column boundary or Auto-fill that is to doubl click
the column boundary.

Circular Reference Error


This is when a formula refers to its own cell, creating an endless loop. Example =A1+A2 in the cell A1
Resolution:
 The solution is to locate and adjust the formula to remove the circular reference.
 Also one can enables tracing of the loop on Formula tab to Error Checking then Circular Reference.

CONCLUSION
The following are general tips on resolving Excel Errors:
 Use the Formula Auditing Tools
This is by going to Formula tab then Error Checking to trace the errors
 Use IFERROR for Error Handling
You can set a function so when the error occurs it gives you an Error Message. For example
=IFERROR(your formula, “Error Message”)
 Check Data Sources
Ensure all referenced data is valid, and formatted correctly
 Enable Show Formula
One can enable to show formula so as to view complex errors by pressing Ctrl + ~.
 Utilize help by pressing F1 in Excel for more details.

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