15 errors
Formula Errors
The classic hash errors that appear in cells. Every #ERROR type explained.
All formula errors →Every Excel error, solved.
100+ Excel errors with plain-English explanations and copy-paste fixes. Formula errors, dynamic array errors, lookup failures, and everything in between.
Excel errors are cryptic on purpose — they save space in the cell. But that means you get shorthand like #REF! or #SPILL! without a hint of what went wrong. Sheets & Cells has a page for every Excel error, explaining what causes it, how to diagnose it in your specific formula, and the copy-paste solution to fix it.
Top errors — jump straight in
#REF!Broken reference
#NAME?Unknown name
#VALUE!Wrong type
#DIV/0!Divide by zero
#N/ANot available
#SPILL!Blocked spill
#NUM!Invalid number
#NULL!No intersection
#CALC!Calc engine
#GETTINGLoading data
#BLOCKED!Feature blocked
CIRCULARReference loop
Browse errors by category
8 errors
Dynamic Array Errors
Spill errors and modern array issues introduced with dynamic arrays in Excel 365.
All dynamic array errors →18 errors
Lookup Errors
VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP failures, #N/A errors, partial matches gone wrong, wildcards.
All lookup errors →20 errors
Data Errors
Numbers stored as text, date parsing failures, decimal separator conflicts, encoding issues.
All data errors →12 errors
File & Workbook Errors
Corrupt files, "cannot open" errors, macro-enabled workbook issues, recovery.
All file errors →15 errors
Feature Errors
Power Query, Power Pivot, PivotTable, chart, and conditional formatting errors.
All feature errors →12 errors
Function-Specific Errors
Errors tied to specific functions — LAMBDA, LET, TEXTSPLIT, dynamic array functions.
All function errors →What's inside every error page
- The error in plain English — what Excel is actually saying
- What causes it — the top 3-5 root causes ranked by frequency
- Step-by-step diagnosis — how to find which of the causes is yours
- Copy-paste fix formulas — the exact solution for each cause
- How to prevent it — patterns that stop this error from returning
- Related errors — errors that show up alongside this one
- Screenshot examples — visual walkthroughs where they help
Frequently asked questions
Why does Excel show cryptic errors instead of explanations?
Cells are small — Excel uses shorthand codes so the error fits in the cell. The hover tooltip gives a one-line hint, but for real diagnosis you need a dedicated page. That's what we built.
Do these fixes work in all Excel versions?
The most common errors (#REF!, #VALUE!, #NAME?, #DIV/0!) work identically across all Excel versions. Dynamic array errors (#SPILL!, #CALC!) only appear in Excel 365. Each error page notes version specifics.
Can the Add-in explain errors automatically?
Yes. The Sheets & Cells Add-in has a one-click "Explain This Error" button. Select the errored cell, click, get plain-English explanation and the copy-paste fix. Free tier includes 5 explanations per day.
What if my error isn't listed?
Email info@sheetsandcells.com with a screenshot. We add missing errors quickly and prioritize the ones people search for.
Are green triangles the same as errors?
No. Green triangles are Excel's "smart tags" flagging potential issues (numbers stored as text, inconsistent formulas, etc.). They're not errors per se but often precede errors. Read our green triangles guide.
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