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1 Scan for Formula Errors: Are your formulas error-free? 2 Input Check: Does your output cell references the correct input cells?
Alternative 1: Select cells to check > Formulas tab > Expand the Error Checking
dropdown > Select relevant option Trace Precedents
1. Error Checking checks for Select output cell > Formulas
common Excel formula errors tab > Trace Precedents
occurring with formulas
2. Trace Error shows all cells
affecting the formula-
containing cell
3. Circular Reference occurs
when a formula refers itself

Use keyboard shortcut CTRL + F > Search for #* > Search across
Edit Mode
Alternative 2:
Workbook > Click on Find All Select output cell > Press F2

Be wary of hidden cells:

Hidden rows or columns may
contain data affecting your
formulas; unhide everything
• Displays a list of all the before conducting your input
cells containing values check
starting with the #
symbol across the
workbook
3 Validate Logic: Does this formula make sense?
• Select the error you
want to fix to quickly Result 1: Result 2:
navigate to it
Blank value is excluded from 0 value is included in the
the AVERAGE formula AVERAGE formula

Alternative 3: Expand the error warning dropdown in Excel tables >

Fix or ignore the error

• By default, each column in an Excel

table should have the same
formula.
• Excel indicates inconsistencies
through the warning dropdown.
Both formulas are the same, you Tip: When working with complex formulas, Break
• You can choose to fix or ignore the
need to decide which is your your complex, nested formulas into multiple cells to
error desired result. ensure that they’re producing the intended results.

4 Calc Test: Is the formula calculating the right values? 5 Range & References Check: Did you include all the intended data?
How?
Enter simple values that can be Key Considerations
calculated mentally to verify the Tip: Test edge cases like
formula results. zero values or blank cells Relative references
update on dragging Use full column
to reveal hidden bugs in
your formula reference with caution
Ensure no unwanted
data is included

Drag formulas only after

rechecking your references

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don’t update on dragging
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 Excel Formula Checklist
Catch Every Mistake
1. Visual Check
❑Check for errors (#DIV/0!, #VALUE!, #REF!, etc.) (Formulas tab > Error Checking/
CTRL+F search for #*).
❑Check cells containing error indicator flags.
❑Look for circular reference warnings.

2. Input Check Pro Tip: Use Excel's Formula Auditing tools under the
❑Double-check cell references. Formulas tab for visual assistance in checking your formulas.

❑Unhide all rows/columns to check for hidden cells affecting the formula.

3. Logic Check
❑Confirm the formula makes sense for your goal.
❑Break large, nested formulas out into separate formulas to validate logic and
calculation.
Remember: A formula can be technically
correct but logically wrong. Take time to
4. Range Check think through your logic and test thoroughly!

❑Check absolute vs. relative references ($A$1 vs A1).

❑Ensure all intended cells are included (use F2 to highlight referenced ranges).
❑Check dynamic named ranges are returning the expected range.

5. Calculation Test
❑Test the formula with easy, predictable inputs.
❑Compare results with manual calculations.
❑Try edge cases like zero, negative numbers, blank cells or extreme values.

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 Excel Errors Cheat Sheet Master Excel: https://bit.ly/moth-courses

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IFNA – Handle #N/A errors ISERROR – Detect any error and return TRUE or
Syntax: =IFNA(value, value_if_na) FALSE Syntax: =ISERROR(value)
Returns a specified value
for #N/A errors.
Limitation: Can’t handle
other errors.

Returns TRUE when

any error exists and
FALSE when no error
exists. ISERROR is not
limited to just #N/A
error.

IFERROR – Create polished reports Syntax: =IFERROR(value, value_if_error) ERROR.TYPE – Return a specific numeric
value for each error type Syntax: =ERROR.TYPE(error_val)
Returns a numeric value when
no error exists and a specified
value for any error.
Limitation: Returns only one
value for all errors.

Returns a unique numeric

value for each error
Notes: Returns #N/A
when no error exists.

Excel Errors, Error Types & Explanation

Debugging Errors: Evaluate Formula, Trace Precedents & Trace Dependents

Step-by-Step
1. Select a cell containing
a formula
2. Formulas tab > Evaluate
Formula
3. Click on the “Evaluate”
button in the Evaluate
Formula dialog box to
evaluate the formula
step-by-step
4. Check the interim steps
in the evaluation box

Other Excel Errors & Explanation

‘Trace Precedents’
shows arrows arising
Similarly, ‘Trace Dependents’
from the cells
shows arrows pointing to the
providing the data for
cells depending on the
the selected cell.
selected cell.

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