Excel Errors and Their Meanings 
Errors Meaning Fixes

###### This column is not wide enough to Widen the column

display the value

#VALUE Wrong type of argument Check operands & arguments and make
sure references are valid

#DIV/0 Formula is attempting to divide by zero Change the value or cell references so
that the formula does not divide by zero

Formula is referencing an invalid or non- Make sure the name still exists or correct
#NAME? existent name the misspelling

#N/A Most commonly means no value is
available or inappropriate arguments
were used
#REF! Excel cannot locate the referenced cells
(for example, referenced cells are
deleted)
#NUM! Incorrect use of a number (such as sort(-
1)), or formula results in a number too
large or too small to be displayed
#NULL! Reference to intersection of two areas
that do not intersect
In a lookup formula, be sure the lookup
table is sorted correctly
Click UNDO immediately to restore
reference and then change the formula
references or convert formulas to values
Make sure that the arguments are correct
and that the result is between –1*10 307
power and 1*10 307 power
Check for typing and reference errors