Correct a #NUM! error - Excel - Microsoft Office Online

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Correct a #NUM! error

Applies to: Microsoft Office Excel 2003

Occurs with invalid numeric values in a formula or function.

Click the cell that displays the error, click the button that appears , and then click Trace Error if it appears.
Review the possible causes and solutions.

Possible causes and solutions

Show Using an unacceptable argument in a function that requires a numeric argument

Make sure the arguments (argument: The values that a function uses to perform operations or calculations. The type of argument a function uses is specific to the function. Common arguments that are used within functions include numbers, text, cell references, and names.) used in the function are numbers. For example, even if the value you want to enter is $1,000, enter 1000 in the formula.

Show Using a worksheet function that iterates, such as IRR or RATE, and the function cannot find a result

Use a different starting value for the worksheet function.

Change the number of times Microsoft Excel iterates formulas.

Show How?

On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Calculation tab.
Select the Iteration check box.
To set the maximum number of times Microsoft Excel will recalculate, type the number of iterations in the Maximum iterations box. The higher the number of iterations, the more time Excel needs to calculate a worksheet.
To set the maximum amount of change you will accept between calculation results, type the amount in the Maximum change box. The smaller the number, the more accurate the result and the more time Excel needs to calculate a worksheet.

Show Entering a formula that produces a number that is too large or too small to be represented in Microsoft Excel

Change the formula so that its result is between minus one times ten to the 307th and .