# Find the cause of an error

A diagnostic checklist, not a blanket IFERROR wrapper.

FormulaSmith | 2026-10-08 | EN

English Excel: comma arguments. Regional settings may use another separator.

Read the displayed error. Follow the matching check below before changing the formula or replacing an error with a default.

## Missing lookup

```excel
#N/A
```

CHECK: Check key, data type and spaces.

Confirm that the key exists. An ID stored as text is not necessarily the same as a numeric ID.

## Division by zero

```excel
#DIV/0!
```

CHECK: Inspect the denominator.

It may be zero or empty. Decide whether missing input should be flagged, rather than silently replaced with 0.

## Wrong input type

```excel
#VALUE!
```

CHECK: Inspect text, dates and numbers.

Check the failing argument. Parse imported numbers with known separators instead of guessing.

## Broken cell reference

```excel
#REF!
```

CHECK: Restore the intended reference.

A referenced row, column or sheet may have been deleted. Reconnect it; do not just hide the error.

## Blocked array output

```excel
#SPILL!
```

CHECK: Inspect the intended output area.

Check occupied or merged cells and formulas inside Excel tables. Preserve existing values before clearing space.

## Display problem

```excel
#####
```

CHECK: Check column width and date values.

This is not a formula error value. Widen the column; negative date/time results can also cause hashes.

## BEFORE YOU USE IT

Keep a copy before changing source data. Check the earliest failing cell first. Use IFNA for an expected missing lookup; IFERROR can also hide broken references and type mistakes.

## MICROSOFT REFERENCES

- [IFERROR](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/functions/iferror-function) (2026-10-08)
- [VLOOKUP](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/functions/vlookup-function) (2026-10-08)
- [SPILL](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/how-to-correct-a-spill-error) (2026-10-08)
- [HASHES](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/how-to-correct-a-error) (2026-10-08)

https://formulasmith.com/en/cheat-sheets/