Forum Discussion

Erik Stearns's avatar
Erik Stearns
Copper Contributor
Sep 01, 2023

Formula comes up as #N/A after data is entered. Yet before that data is entered, it works normally.

To ensure best support experience, please stay active in this chat window. Switching apps or changing focus to another window while working with us may get you disconnected from chat session. ...
excel
Formulas and Functions
NikolinoDE's avatar
NikolinoDE
Platinum Contributor
Sep 06, 2023

Erik Stearns 

In your message seems you had a chat session with Microsoft Support regarding an Excel formula issue. Unfortunately, I could not find a specific question or issue in your conversation.

It appears that you have an Excel formula that was working correctly until data was entered, at which point it started displaying "#N/A." This issue could be due to various reasons, and troubleshooting it may require examining the specific formula and the data you entered.

Here are some common reasons why a formula might display "#N/A" after data entry and steps to troubleshoot the issue:

  1. Data Types: Ensure that the data types in the formula and the entered data are compatible. For example, if your formula expects numbers and you enter text or non-numeric values, it can result in "#N/A." Check that the data types match the formula's requirements.
  2. Missing Data: If your formula relies on data from other cells, check if any of the referenced cells contain errors or missing data. Ensure that all necessary data is present and accurate.
  3. Lookup Functions: If you are using lookup functions like VLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH, ensure that the lookup value exists in the lookup range. If there is no match, these functions can return "#N/A." Double-check your lookup criteria.
  4. Calculation Options: Check your Excel calculation settings. Go to "Formulas" > "Calculation Options" and ensure that it is set to "Automatic." Manual calculation mode may cause formulas not to update automatically.
  5. Error Handling: If your formula contains error-handling functions like IFERROR, verify that the error-handling logic is correctly implemented. Sometimes, the error is masked by the error-handling function.
  6. Data Formatting: Ensure that the data you entered is formatted consistently. Sometimes, formatting differences can affect calculations.
  7. Named Ranges: If your formula relies on named ranges, confirm that the named ranges are correctly defined and include the necessary data.
  8. Conditional Formatting: Check if you have any conditional formatting rules applied to the cells involved in the formula. These rules can affect the display of data and may cause unexpected results.
  9. Formula References: Make sure that your formula references are correct. If you copied or moved the formula, ensure that it still refers to the correct cells and ranges.
  10. Circular References: Circular references can lead to calculation errors, including "#N/A." Check for circular references in your workbook and resolve them.
  11. Data Validation: If your worksheet has data validation rules, ensure that the entered data complies with those rules. Invalid data can result in errors.
  12. Check for Errors in the Data Entry: Review the data you entered for any obvious errors or inconsistencies that might affect the formula's results.

If you can provide the specific formula and details about the data you entered, I can offer more targeted assistance. Additionally, double-checking each of the above points should help you identify and resolve the "#N/A" issue in your Excel workbook.The text and steps were created with the help of AI.

 

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

 

Hope this will help you.

Was the answer useful? Mark them as helpful!

This will help all forum participants.

Resources