Datasheet

27
Chapter 1: Tapping into Formula and Function Fundamentals
Figure 1-19:
Getting a
message
from Excel.
On the other side of the fence are errors in returned values. If you got this
far, then the formula’s syntax passed muster, but something went awry none-
theless. Possible errors are:
✓ Attempting to perform a mathematical operation on text
✓ Attempting to divide a number by 0 (a mathematical no-no)
✓ Trying to reference a nonexistent cell, range, worksheet, or workbook
✓ Entering the wrong type of information into an argument function
This is by no means an exhaustive list of possible error conditions, but you
get the idea. So what does Excel do about it? There are a handful of errors
that Excel places into the cell with the problem formula.
Error Type When It Happens
#DIV/0!
When you’re trying to divide by 0
#N/A!
When a formula or a function inside a formula cannot find the
referenced data
#NAME?
When text in a formula is not recognized
#NULL!
When a space was used instead of a comma in formulas that ref-
erence multiple ranges; a comma is necessary to separate range
references
#NUM!
When a formula has numeric data that is invalid for the opera-
tion type
#REF!
When a reference is invalid
#VALUE!
When the wrong type of operand or function argument is used
Chapter 4 discusses catching and handling formula errors in detail.
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