Part A — Error Checking

Explanation

Excel provides tools to identify common formula errors.

Common Errors

Error

Meaning

#DIV/0!

Division by zero

#VALUE!

Incorrect type of value

#REF!

Invalid cell reference

#NAME?

Unrecognized name/function

#N/A

Value not available

#NUM!

Invalid numeric calculation

Example

If:

=A2/B2

and B2 = 0, Excel returns:

#DIV/0!

Error Checking Process

  1. Select the cell containing the error.
  2. Go to Formulas → Error Checking.
  3. Read the suggested explanation.
  4. Inspect the formula.
  5. Correct the problem.

Part B — Evaluate Formula

Evaluate Formula helps you examine a complex formula step by step.

Example:

=IF(A2>50,B2*C2,0)

It allows you to understand how Excel evaluates each part of the formula.

Practice

Create five formula errors intentionally and use Error Checking and Evaluate Formula to troubleshoot them.

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