Read time 6 minutes
In Excel 2016, the #VALUE! error appears when you enter a value in the wrong way in a cell.
Excel provides a range of functions. But when the function receives a value other than the expected, it shows #VALUE! Error. The regular addition and subtraction operation with a (+) or minus (-) operator will throw a #VALUE! error if any of the values is not of the expected type. However, the #VALUE! error for some functions is a bit tricky because they automatically ignore the invalid data.
Let us consider some of the most common examples of #VALUE! error along with the solutions to resolve.
- Unexpected text value
While performing a regular addition, if one of the cells contains a text instead of a numeric value, Excel will return a #VALUE! error.Consider the example below, where the Cell C2 contains a text value ‘Null’ while Cell B1 contains a numeric value ‘258’. When formulated “= C1 + B1”, D1 returns the #VALUE! error.
One standard solution for this is to correct the invalid value. However, while working with large spreadsheets, correcting individual data will consume a lot of time and efforts. In that case, we will use the SUM function to get rid of the #VALUE! error.However, the SUM function ignores the invalid value as shown below:
- Irrelevant Space character(s)
Sometimes users, either on purpose or unintentionally, delete values by tapping the spacebar key. This makes the cell appear blank, but actually, it’s not.Consider the example below, where C2 cell is left blank, and cell B2 contains a numeric value (522). When formulated “=C2/B2”, D2 returns a #DIV/0! error, which indicates division by zero.
Now, if the same cell C2 contains errant space characters, D2 will throw a #VALUE! error.
Users can look out for errant space characters by pressing the F2 key within the cell to note the blinking cursor, as shown in the image below.
If the cursor seems to be a couple of millimeters away from the adjacent border of the cell, press the Delete key.
However, while working on large spreadsheets, you can use the ISBLANK function to determine whether a cell is blank or not. The function will return TRUE if the cell is blank or FALSE if it’s not.
- Function argument is not valid
Invalid inputs as Function arguments can also lead to #VALUE! Error. For instance, the NETWORKDAYS function is used to determine the total number of workdays between twodates. If one of the function arguments is not the expected type, Excel will throw a #VALUE! Error.
In the example below, cell C2 contains the start date (6/2/2017), and cell C3 contains an invalid value “August.” As a consequent, cell C5 returns #VALUE! Error.
Enter the correct value as a date to get the desired result.
Excel corruption issues
When you work on large spreadsheets, you may face Excel corruption issues in addition to issues like #VALUE! Error. Though there are some manual ways to Recover Corrupted Excel 2016 files, try to use a trusted third-party tool to fix your Excel error codes as manual Excel recovery methods are time-consuming and complicated.
Kernel for Excel Repair is a powerful tool to recover your damaged Excel files after Excel errors. Embedded with powerful algorithms, this tool is a one-spot solution for all your Excel related issues. Moreover, you can download the trial version of the software free of cost. Here is the working of the tool.
- Launch the tool and click on the Browse button to navigate to the folder containing the corrupt Excel file.
- Click Repair to repair the corrupt Excel file or to fix the error codes.
- Wait while the process gets complete.
- Click on the Save button to save the recovered file.
- Click Select Path to choose a destination folder and then click on the Save button.
- The Excel file gets saved at the specified location.
Conclusion
While you can fix #Value error by simple manual methods, some Excel errors are unpredictable and hard to fix. Moreover, there are various methods to recover corrupt excel files, but use of Kernel for Excel Repair tool is the best and the most recommended method to fix errors and recover damaged/corrupt Excel files.
