Excel Errors

Question 1

What does the #DIV/0! error mean?

Answer 1

A formula is trying to divide a value in a cell by 0 (or an empty cell with no value)

Example
=B2/B3, when the cell B3 contains the value 0

Question 2

What does the #N/A error tell you?

Answer 2

The cell being referenced can’t be found

Question 3

When is it common to encounter the N/A error?

Answer 3

When using vlookups

Question 4

What does the #NAME? error indicate?

Answer 4

The name of a formula or function used isn’t recognized

Example
This could happen if you spell VLOOKUP wrong, for example

Question 5

What does the #NUM! error indicate?

Answer 5

The spreadsheet can’t perform a formula calculation because a cell has an invalid numeric value

Example
=DATEDIF(A4, B4, “M”) is unable to calculate the number of months between two dates because the date in cell A4 falls after the date in cell B4

Question 6

What does the #REF! error indicate?

Answer 6

That the cell the formula was referencing has been deleted.

Question 7

What does #VALUE! error indicate?

Answer 7

A general error indicating a problem with a formula or with referenced cells

Example
There could be problems with spaces or text, or with referenced cells in a formula; you may have additional work to find the source of the problem