These functions are useful for detecting errors in Excel formulas.

Common Excel Errors

Error

Meaning

#DIV/0!

Division by zero

#VALUE!

Incorrect data type

#REF!

Invalid cell reference

#NAME?

Unrecognized name/function

#N/A

Value not available

#NUM!

Invalid numeric value

ISERROR

Checks whether a value contains any Excel error.

Syntax

=ISERROR(value)

Example:

=ISERROR(A2/B2)

If B2 contains 0, the formula returns:

TRUE

ISERR

Checks for errors except #N/A.

=ISERR(value)

ISNA

Checks specifically for #N/A.

=ISNA(value)

Practical Example

Instead of showing an error:

=IF(ISERROR(A2/B2),”Invalid Calculation”,A2/B2)

Result:

Invalid Calculation

Practice

Create a worksheet containing intentional Excel errors and use:

  • ISERROR
  • ISERR
  • ISNA

to identify them.