"Every time I try to open my MS Excel file, it gives me an Excel not opening prompt. How can I do Excel troubleshooting without causing any harm to my file and its data?"
If you have searched for something similar and have landed here to resolve Excel error messages, then you will get your queries resolved instantly. Ideally, Microsoft Excel errors can be related to software crashing or its formula execution.
The good news is that you can easily resolve these common Excel problems. In this extensive guide, I'm going to make you familiar with some pro-Excel tips to resolve all kinds of Excel errors like an expert.
In this article
Part 1 What are the main Excel features?
As you know, Excel is a part of the Microsoft Office suite that is used to handle and manage all kinds of data. If you deal with data collection, management, and prediction, then MS Excel would be an essential tool for you. Here are some commonly used Excel utilities and features.
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Excel Formulas are undoubtedly the most commonly used features as they automate things for us and let us calculate complicated data.
Though, sometimes users get the Excel formula not calculating error while working with this feature.
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A lot of people enjoy creating automatic tables and charts on Excel through the provided data.
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Pivot Tables are another common feature that saves our time and automates calculations.
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Excel is also being frequently used to sort, manage, and format our data.
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Some other common Excel features are condition formatting, dropdown validation, lookup formulas, data analysis, structural reference, and so much more.
Part 2 Common Causes of Excel Error Messages
Before you start performing an Excel troubleshooting, it is important to diagnose the issue. Although there could be various reasons for causing Excel crashing, the following are some major triggers.
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An unexpected shutdown of the system while MS Excel was still working
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A virus or malware attack can also make your file corrupt.
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The file can also get corrupt by being mishandled by some third-party tool.
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If the extension of the file is changed forcefully, then it can make Excel corrupt.
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A bad sector or corrupt Windows drive can also make Excel frozen.
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If your Excel is running slow, then there might be some overloading issues with your Windows or mismanagement of the system's RAM.
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A wrong formula or invalid data entry can also be one of the major reasons for Excel not calculating the issue.
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If the formula refers to any cell or data that isn't present anymore.
These are only some commonly found reasons for Excel problems. Chances are that you might encounter any other reason as well, depending on the situation. When you encounter Excel error messages, send its feedback to Microsoft. In this way, you can let the developers know about the issue as well.
Part 3 Typical Common Errors in Excel
Some Excel errors are just more common than others. If you are a regular MS Excel user, then you might have encountered these Excel problems as well.
1. Excel keeps crashing
While working on Microsoft Excel, chances are that the application might stop working out of the blue. Users usually get the following prompt stating that Excel is not working. The software tries to autosave the data in the process. It might happen if the software has not been installed properly or has been corrupted.
2. Excel not opening
You might also get the Excel not opening prompt when the system can't access the file. A change in its extension or any compatibility issue could also be a reason. If the Excel file has been corrupt, then the software might encounter trouble opening it.
3. Excel Frozen
This usually happens when the system is running on low storage or the RAM has been exhausted. This makes Excel frozen and the software non-responsive.
4. Excel file got corrupt
If the Excel file has been corrupted, then the software won't be able to access its data and display a prompt like this. It can happen due to a malware attack or when the application gets shut down unexpectedly.
5. Excel is running slow
If too many applications are running at the same time on your system or the primary memory has been occupied, then it can make Excel running slow. Mostly, a simple restart resolves this issue.
6. Excel not responding
It is similar to the Excel frozen problem. Too many times, Excel stops responding when there is a conflict, a faulty add-on, or any other processing problem. Try to close the application and launch it again to resolve it.
7. Excel formulas not working
If you are working with formulas, then Excel might not run it. Mostly, it happens when the provided data is not uniform or of different types. You can check your formula in this case and validate the entered data.
8. Excel formulas not calculating correctly
This usually happens due to a human error. Chances are that the formula you have entered is incorrect or there could be issues with its range in the software as well.
9. Excel memory problem (Out of Memory issue)
If your system is running low on space, then you might encounter this issue. Try to reopen Excel and close the other unwanted applications. Also, make enough free space on the primary storage to avoid this.
10. Value Error in Excel
This is another major Excel error. It usually happens when there is a mismatch in the data type or due to additional space or special characters in certain cells. For instance, if you are calculating formula and one cell contains text, then you would get value error in Excel.
As you can see, most of the Excel problems can be classified as software-related or formula-related. Here are some of these common issues and their classification.
Excel Crashing Issues Excel Formula Problems
Excel keeps crashing Excel value error
Excel file is not responding to Excel formulas not working
The file has been corrupted Excel formulas are out of bounding/memory
Excel is running slow Excel can't find references for formula
Excel worksheet is frozen Excel not calculating the formula
Excel file not responding Division by zero error
Excel cannot complete this task with available resources Null or no reference error
3 Clicks to Fix Various Excel Crashing Errors
If you are getting Excel error messages or are not able to retrieve an Excel corrupt file, then consider using Wondershare Repairit - File Repair.
It is a dedicated data repairing tool that can fix all kinds of errors related to your Excel file. The application works remarkably under different scenarios and would retain your data as well as its formatting during the process.
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Repair damaged Excel files with all levels of corruption, including Excel is blank, Excel not opening/responding, Excel is running slow, Excel content is unreadable, Excel layout changed, etc.
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The data formatting, formulas, and other data validation features are also resolved and remain intact.
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It can also repair the applied formulas, images, charts, tables, layout, and other worksheet properties.
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Perfectly repair corrupted files with a very high success rate, without modifying the original file.
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No limit to the number and size of the repairable files.
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Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.10~macOS 13.
If you want to know about the best Excel tips, then start using Wondershare Repairit to fix all kinds of issues related to MS Excel. To use it, you can simply follow these basic steps:
Step 1. Visit the official website of Wondershare Repairit and install it on your computer. Launch it whenever you wish to fix an Excel error. Just make sure that the corrupt Excel file is closed beforehand.
Step 2. Now, you need to load the damaged Excel file to the application. Select "File Repair" from the "More Types Repair" section, then click "+Add" button to upload your corrupted Excel files.
Step 3. Once you have selected the corrupt Excel documents, click on the "Repair" option. This will start the repairing process of the file. Wait for a while for the process to be completed and don't close the application in between.
Step 4. As soon as the file has been repaired, its preview would be provided on the same interface. This will let you verify if the Excel error messages have been resolved or not.
If you are satisfied with the results, then click on the Save button. You can save the file on the same location or any other location of your choice.
In the end, you will be notified that the Excel file has been saved successfully. You can now use it the way you like without facing any unwanted Excel not working problem.
By following this simple click-through process, you can resolve all kinds of Excel problems in minutes. It is a highly professional tool that can be used to resolve all sorts of corrupt and damaged Excel documents in minutes.
Part 5 How to Resolve Value Errors in Excel?
A lot of times, users face unwanted value errors and formula related issues with Excel as well. Since these issues can easily be resolved, you can follow these Excel tips to do the same.
1. #VALUE!
The #VALUE! Excel error occurs when there is a value mismatch in your data. There could be an extra space in between or you could be comparing between textual and numeric data. To avoid this, just make sure that the data you have provided is uniform and the formula is correct.
2. #REF!
This Excel issue arises when we refer to a cell that doesn't exist or has invalid information. To avoid this, just make sure that any cell, column, or row that your formula refers to exist in the worksheet with valid data. For instance, consider this example. The formula refers to the sum of three columns. If we remove any column, then we will get the #REF! error.
3. #DIV/0!
You might already be familiar with this issue in mathematics. Ideally, in mathematics, we can't divide a number by zero. If you are trying to do the same in Excel, then you would get this prompt. While working on any formula, just make sure that the provided values are correct and that you don't divide a number by 0.
4. #NAME?
This is a more complex Microsoft Excel error. It mostly happens when the values entered in your formula are wrong or you have named it incorrectly. To avoid this, make sure that you have typed everything the right way. You can also use Excel's native Formula Builder feature to avoid this.
5. #NULL!
The #NULL! The error occurs when we define a range of intersection in Excel that doesn't exist. We use special symbols like comma, semicolon, space, and colon to define a range in Excel. For instance, use a comma to refer to two cells or use a colon to separate two cells. Space would refer to their intersection instead.
6. #N/A
The not-applicable error can happen due to different scenarios. For instance, it can occur if you are referring to a formula that no longer exists, if the referred column or row has been deleted, or if you are referring to a worksheet that doesn't exist anymore. Simple check your formula and the references to avoid this.
7. #NUM!
While the #NUM! Excel error is common, it can easily be resolved. It occurs when a numeric value has been entered in the wrong way or is invalid. It usually happens when we enter something additional (like $, -, %, etc.) before or after the numeric values. To avoid this, just enter the basic numeric data. For example, instead of writing $10 simply write 10.
Part 6 Excel Tips to Avoid Common Errors
To avoid the above-listed Excel problems or any other related issue, consider following these Excel tips.
1. If you want to make sure that your Excel file won't get corrupt, then always maintain its second copy.
2. The drive on which Excel is installed should have enough free space and not be corrupted.
3. The primary memory of your system should be free and not overloaded while running Excel.
4. Don't forcefully restart your system when an Excel file is still being used or accessed.
5. While using an Excel formula, make sure that that the provided data is correctly formatted.
6. If you delete any column, row, or even a sheet, check that it doesn't affect any other formula that is has been referred to.
7. All the entered information on your Excel sheet should be uniform and not complex.
8. If you are working on a range, then use the right symbols (like colon or comma) to specify the range correctly.
9. Don't forcefully change the extension of an Excel file or convert it using third-party tools too many times as it might affect it and make it corrupt.
10. Keep an active anti-virus tool to make sure your files won't get corrupted out of the blue.
11. Try to work on an up to date Microsoft Office tool to avoid any unwanted issue with your worksheets.
Conclusion
By following this extensive guide, you would be able to resolve all kinds of commonly found Excel problems. To have a hassle-free experience and resolve various Excel error messages, one can simply use Wondershare Repairit. It is being used by experts and can automatically fix even severely damaged Excel files in minutes. Download it on your system whenever you like and never suffer from any Excel error again.