ExcelErrorsandTheirMeanings

Errors

Meaning

Fixes

######

This column is not wide enough to

display the value

Widen the column

#VALUE

Wrong type of argument

Check operands & arguments and make

sure references are valid

#DIV/0

Formula is attempting to divide by zero

Change the value or cell references so

that the formula does not divide by zero

#NAME?

Formula is referencing an invalid or non- Make sure the name still exists or correct
existent name
the misspelling

#N/A

Most commonly means no value is

available or inappropriate arguments
were used

In a lookup formula, be sure the lookup

table is sorted correctly

#REF!

Excel cannot locate the referenced cells

(for example, referenced cells are
deleted)

Click UNDO immediately to restore

reference and then change the formula
references or convert formulas to values

#NUM!

Incorrect use of a number (such as sort(1)), or formula results in a number too

large or too small to be displayed

Make sure that the arguments are correct

and that the result is between 1*10 307
power and 1*10 307 power

#NULL! Reference to intersection of two areas

that do not intersect

Check for typing and reference errors