When applying formulas in Google Sheets, you might encounter several common errors. Each error provides clues about issues in the formula or the data it references. Here’s an explanation of these errors and what they mean:
Types of Google Sheets Formula Errors:
Here, we discuss 10 common errors in Google Sheets that occur due to minor mistakes in formulas. These errors can often be resolved with simple adjustments or corrections in the formula syntax. Explore below to find the error types and their solutions.
1. #DIV/0! (Division by Zero)
This error occurs when a formula tries to divide a number by zero or an empty cell. Division by zero is mathematically undefined, so Google Sheets returns this error.
Example: If =A2/B2 is used and B2 is empty or contains 0, this error appears.
Fix: Ensure the denominator is not zero by using IF or IFERROR.
Example: =IF(B2=0, “N/A”, A2/B2)
2. #REF! (Invalid Reference)
This happens when a formula references a cell or range that no longer exists, often due to deletion.
- Column Shift: When you delete Column B, Column C shifts left to take the position of Column B.
- Formula in Column C: If a cell in Column C contains a formula that references cells in the now-deleted Column B, those references become invalid.
- #REF! Error: The formula in Column C will display a #REF! error because it can no longer find the referenced cells in the deleted column.
- Cause of the Error: This happens because deleting a column removes the referenced range entirely, breaking any dependent formulas.
- Impact: The error highlights that the formula’s references need to be updated or corrected to point to valid cells.
Example: If you delete column B, the formula =A1/B1 will return #REF!.
Fix: Avoid deleting cells or adjust your formulas when making changes to the sheet.
💡Keep in Mind: In Google Sheets, when you type =A1/#REF! and press Enter, the result displays as #REF!, but no red triangle appears in the upper-left corner of the cell. This is because:
- The formula is technically valid in terms of syntax, so Google Sheets does not flag it as a warning (indicated by the red triangle).
- The #REF! error is the evaluated result of the formula, indicating an invalid cell reference. However, since the formula itself is not malformed, Google Sheets does not treat it as a warning or mistake requiring additional attention.
In contrast, the red triangle appears for warnings like incorrectly typed formulas or when Google Sheets detects a potential issue that doesn’t produce a standard error code.
3. #VALUE! (Wrong Data Type)
The #VALUE! error in Google Sheets occurs when there’s a mismatch between the data type a formula expects and what it receives.
Common scenarios that cause #VALUE! errors:
- Trying to perform math operations with text
- Using text where numbers are expected
- Mixing dates and text in calculations
- Array formulas receiving incompatible data types
- Functions receiving arguments of incorrect types
Text Instead of Numbers: Error occurs when text is used where a number is expected.
Example: =A4+B4 returns this error if B4 contains “Text” or =SQRT(“abc”) where SQRT function expects a numeric argument, but “abc” is text
Fix: Ensure the input data matches the expected type. Use functions like VALUE() to convert text to numbers if needed.
What Causes the ‘#VALUE!’ Error in Google Sheets?
These types encompass the common scenarios where the #VALUE! error might appear.
- Wrong Argument Type: Functions that receive arguments of incompatible data types as below.
- Array Formula Issues: Mismatched or misaligned arrays in formulas.
- Implicit Conversion Fails: Google Sheets fails to convert text to numbers or dates automatically.
- Blank or Missing Data: A formula relies on blank or missing data where it expects values.
- Incorrect Use of Functions: Functions are used improperly or with invalid inputs.
- Non-Numeric Dates: Dates or time functions involve invalid or non-numeric data.
- Array Spills: Array formulas attempt to output results into occupied cells.
- Unsupported Logical Operations: Logical operations fail due to incompatible data types.
The wrong argument type leads to a #VALUE! error whenever the provided input doesn’t match the function’s expected data type or structure. To avoid this error, always check the function’s argument requirements and ensure compatibility.
4. #NAME? (Unrecognized Text)
This error appears when Google Sheets doesn’t recognize a formula name or cell reference. It often occurs due to typos or missing quotation marks.
Example: Typing =SUMM(A1:A5) instead of =SUM(A1:A5) causes this error.
Fix: Verify that formula names are spelled correctly and ensure text values in the formula are enclosed in quotes.
5. #N/A (Value Not Available)
This error indicates that a value required by the formula is missing or cannot be found. It is common with lookup functions like VLOOKUP or MATCH.
Example: =VLOOKUP("Apple", $A$1:$B$5, 2, FALSE) returns #N/A if “Apple” is not in column A or similarly, the formula =FILTER(A1:A5, B1:B5 > 10) returns #N/A if no rows in the range B1:B5 satisfy the condition >10.
Fix: Check if the lookup value exists in the referenced range.
The #N/A error occurs when a formula cannot find or calculate a required value. It’s commonly associated with lookup functions but can also appear in other scenarios where data is unavailable or improperly referenced. To resolve it, ensure the lookup values, ranges, and arguments are correct and complete.
6. #NUM! (Invalid Numeric Value)
This error happens when a formula encounters an invalid numeric calculation. Examples include attempting the square root of a negative number or using an invalid parameter.
Example: =SQRT(-4) results in #NUM!.
The SQRT function cannot calculate the square root of a negative number.
=10^1000 results in #NUM!.
The result is too large for Google Sheets to handle
=LOG(-1) results in #NUM!.
The logarithm of a negative number is undefined in real numbers.
=RANDBETWEEN(10, 5) results in #NUM!.
The minimum value (10) is greater than the maximum value (5).
Fix: Review the formula logic and ensure numeric inputs are valid.
The #NUM! error indicates a numeric calculation problem, often due to invalid input values or operations that are mathematically or computationally impossible. Resolving this error typically requires correcting the input values or revising the formula to align with valid mathematical rules and limits.
7. #ERROR! (Formula Parse Error)
in Google Sheets indicates that there is an issue with how a formula is written, causing Google Sheets to be unable to process it. A general error indicating that the formula has syntax issues. It often happens due to missing parentheses, incorrect operators, invalid formatting or unmatched quotation marks.
Examples:
=SUM(A1:)
The range A1: is incomplete. A valid range must have a start and an endpoint (e.g., A1:A5)
=Sheet1!Sheet2!A1
A single formula cannot reference two sheets simultaneously in this manner. The syntax is invalid
=’Sheet 1’A1
Missing ! between the sheet name and the cell reference. The correct format is =’Sheet 1′!A1
=1,000+2,000
In Google Sheets, commas (,) are not used as thousands separators in numbers. They will be interpreted as delimiters or invalid syntax.
=!SUM(A1:A5)
The = sign should not precede a function like this. The correct format is =SUM(A1:A5).
All the examples formulas will generate a #ERROR! due to syntax issues or improper formatting. Correcting these errors involves adhering to Google Sheets’ syntax rules for ranges, sheet references, and number formatting.
Fix: Check the formula syntax carefully and correct any mistakes.
This is a broader error for issues like incorrect formula syntax, such as using commas instead of periods for decimals or mismatched parentheses.
Common Causes:
- Mismatched parentheses
- Missing operators
- Wrong argument separators
- Invalid cell references
- Incorrect function syntax
- Mixed regional settings
How to Fix:
- paying attention to regional settings like decimal separators.
- Double-check the formula syntax
- Ensure valid cell ranges
- Verify all parentheses match
- Use correct separators
- Match regional settings
- Review function requirements
8. #NULL! (Null Intersection)
The #NULL! error is actually more commonly found in Microsoft Excel rather than Google Sheets. Google Sheets handles null intersections differently and typically shows other error types instead.
In Google Sheets, when you try operations that would cause a #NULL! error in Excel, you’ll usually see: N/A error instead of #NULL!.
9. Circular Dependency Detected
This error occurs when a formula references its own cell, either directly or indirectly, creating an infinite loop.
Example: =B1+1 placed in cell B1 causes this error.
Common Causes:
- Accidental self-references
- Complex formulas referencing their own output
- Lookup functions pointing to their own range
- Total cells including themselves in calculation
Solutions:
- Remove self-references
- Restructure formulas
- Use helper cells for calculations
- Break the circular chain
- Consider using iterative calculations if needed
10. #SPILL! (Spill Range Issue)
This error happens with array formulas when the output spills into cells that already contain data, blocking the result.
Example: =SEQUENCE(5) will cause #SPILL! if the target cells are not empty.
Fix: Clear the range where the formula outputs its result.
Error handling in Google Sheets can be streamlined using functions like IFERROR and ISERROR, which help manage errors effectively. These functions ensure your spreadsheets remain organized, clear, and user-friendly by addressing potential issues gracefully.
The IFERROR function allows you to return a custom value when an error occurs, e.g., =IFERROR(A1/B1, "Error"), which displays “Error” instead of an error message.
The ISERROR function checks if a formula results in an error and can be combined with IF for conditional actions, e.g., =IF(ISERROR(A1/B1), "Error", A1/B1).
If you have any questions, need assistance, or encounter challenges, feel free to share your concerns in the comments. The CountLen team is dedicated to providing quick and effective solutions. If you notice any inaccuracies or misleading information, please provide feedback—we’re here to support you!
