excel-errors
Excel Error Library
Plain-English fixes for Excel error messages - the exact wording and the causes and step-by-step fixes.
- excel errors
- error messages
- data validation
- fixes
Search the exact message Excel shows you and you will usually land on a forum thread from years ago. Each guide here starts with the exact wording, then the causes and the fix for each one. New guides are added every week.
- The List Source Must Be a Delimited ListFix the Excel error "The list source must be a delimited list, or a reference to single row or column" - five causes and the fix for each.
- Value Doesn't Match Data Validation RestrictionsFix "This value doesn't match the data validation restrictions" in Excel and "Input must fall within specified range" in Google Sheets.
- #SPILL! Error in ExcelWhat the #SPILL! error means and six fixes - blocked spill range, Tables, whole-column references, merged cells and unknown spill size.
- There's a Problem With This FormulaFix Excel's "There's a problem with this formula" message - text starting with = or -, wrong separator, curly quotes and unbalanced brackets.
Formula errors (#N/A, #REF!, #VALUE!, #DIV/0!)
Paste the formula into the free Excel Error Solver for a diagnosis, or read Excel error handling with IFERROR.
Error not listed?
Send one broken formula to the free Formula Clinic, or message us. Quick fixes get a free written quote.
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