How to correct a #N/A error

The lookup value and the source data are different data types. For example, you try to have VLOOKUP reference a number, but the source data is stored as text.

Solution: Ensure that the data types are the same. You can check cell formats by selecting a cell or range of cells, then right-click and select Format Cells > Number (or press Ctrl+1), and change the number format if necessary.

You can use the TRIM function to remove any leading or trailing spaces. The following example uses TRIM nested inside a VLOOKUP function to remove the leading spaces from the names in A2:A7 and return the department name.

=VLOOKUP(D2,TRIM(A2:B7),2,FALSE)

By default, functions that look up information in tables must be sorted in ascending order. However, the VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP worksheet functions contain a range_lookup argument that instructs the function to find an exact match even if the table is not sorted. To find an exact match, set the range_lookup argument to FALSE. Note that using TRUE, which tells the function to look for an approximate match, can not only result in an #N/A error, it can also return erroneous results as seen in the following example.

In this example, not only does “Banana” return an #N/A error, “Pear” returns the wrong price. This is caused by using the TRUE argument, which tells the VLOOKUP to look for an approximate match instead of an exact match. There’s no close match for “Banana”, and “Pear” comes before “Peach” alphabetically. In this case using VLOOKUP with the FALSE argument would return the correct price for “Pear”, but “Banana” would still result in a #N/A error, since there is no corresponding “Banana” in the lookup list.

If you are using the MATCH function, try changing the value of the match_type argument to specify the sort order of the table. To find an exact match, set the match_type argument to 0 (zero).

To fix this, make sure that the range referenced by the array formula has the same number of rows and columns as the range of cells in which the array formula was entered, or enter the array formula into fewer or more cells to match the range reference in the formula.

In this example, cell E2 has referenced mismatched ranges:

=SUM(IF(A2:A11=D2,B2:B5))

In order for the formula to calculate correctly it needs to be changed so that both ranges reflect rows 2 – 11.

=SUM(IF(A2:A11=D2,B2:B11))

In this case, May-December have #N/A values, so the Total can’t calculate and instead returns an #N/A error.

To fix this, check the formula syntax of the function you’re using and enter all required arguments in the formula that returns the error. This might require going into the Visual Basic Editor (VBE) to check the function. You can access the VBE from the Developer tab, or with ALT+F11.

To fix this, verify that the workbook that contains the user-defined function is open and that the function is working properly.

To fix this, verify that the arguments in that function are correct and used in the correct position.

To fix this, press Ctrl+Atl+F9 to recalculate the sheet

You can use the Function Wizard to help if you are not sure of the proper arguments. Select the cell with the formula in question, then go to the Formulas tab and press Insert Function.

Excel will automatically load the Wizard for you:

As you click on each argument, Excel will give you the appropriate information for each one.

#N/A can be useful! It is a common practice to use #N/A when using data like the following example for charts, as #N/A values won’t plot on a chart. Here are examples of what a chart looks like with 0’s vs. #N/A.

In the previous example, you will see that the 0 values have plotted and are displayed as a flat line on the bottom of the chart, and it then shoots up to display the Total. In the following example you will see the 0 values replaced with #N/A.