Formulas and functions > Error values

If an error occurs in a calculation, it returns an error value as the result.

An example: A division is to be performed in a cell by the content of another cell. This other cell now takes a value of 0. Calculate cannot perform this division by zero, which is not allowed in mathematics. The error value #DIV/0! will now be displayed in the cell, which indicates that a division by zero is being performed.

The following error values exist:

Error value	Explanation
#REF!	Invalid cell reference. This is displayed when the formula contains a cell reference that is invalid or nonexistent after deleting cells (e.g., with the ribbon command Home \| group Cells \| Delete).
#DIV/0!	Division by zero. This is displayed when a formula contains a division by zero (which is never permitted in mathematics).
#NULL!	Invalid formula. This is displayed for misspelled or unknown function names, among other things, if open parentheses are not closed, or if a function is called with too many or too few arguments.
#NAME?	Reference with an invalid name. This displayed when a cell reference refers to a sheet name or range name that does not exist.
#N/A	"Not available". This is displayed when a cell contains a #N/A error value or a reference to a cell with a #N/A error value. For more information, see NA (error value #N/A).
#VALUE!	Invalid value. This is displayed when a function is used with an inappropriate parameter type (for example, if a number is passed to a function that is expecting a text string).
#NUM!	Invalid number. This is displayed when a function is used with a value that is outside the range of values permitted for the function (for example, SQRT(-2)).

Tip: To test if a cell returns an error value, use the functions ISERROR and ISERR.