Excel ##### Error: Fixing the Mysterious Symbols
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Excel ##### Error: Fixing the Mysterious Symbols
Quick Answer Fix ##### errors with NUMBER or GENERAL formatting, or use TEXT function to convert numbers.
Nothing is worse than opening an Excel spreadsheet, only to be greeted by a sea of ##### symbols. This error can be frustrating, especially when you're on a deadline. By the end of this post, you'll be able to identify and fix the most common causes of the ##### error in Excel. Imagine you're working on a sales report, and your revenue column is filled with ##### symbols instead of numbers.
The "Old Way" vs. "Smart Way" Comparison
| Feature | The Manual Way | The Smart Way |
|---|---|---|
| Formatting | Manually changing cell format to NUMBER | Using HOME tab to apply GENERAL formatting |
| Error Handling | Using FORMULA bar to debug | Utilizing ERROR-checking functions like IFERROR |
Understanding the ##### Error
The ##### error typically occurs when a cell is not wide enough to display the full value, or when the cell format is not set to display numbers correctly. To fix this, you can try adjusting the column width or changing the cell format to NUMBER or GENERAL.
Scenario-Based Example
Imagine you have a dataset of 5,000 Sales IDs, and you want to calculate the total revenue. You use the FORMULA bar to enter the formula:
=SUM(B2:B5000)
However, the result is displayed as ##### symbols instead of a number. To fix this, you can try changing the cell format to NUMBER or GENERAL.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake is not checking the cell format before entering a formula. To avoid this, always make sure to check the cell format before entering a formula. If you're still getting the ##### error, try using the TEXT function to convert the number to text:
=TEXT(A1,"0")
This will convert the value in cell A1 to a text string, which can help resolve the ##### error.
Pro Tips
Pro Tips for Fixing ##### Errors
- Check Cell Format: Always check the cell format before entering a formula to avoid ##### errors.
- Use TEXT Function: Use the TEXT function to convert numbers to text and resolve ##### errors.
- Adjust Column Width: Adjust the column width to ensure that the cell is wide enough to display the full value.
Troubleshooting
When things go wrong, it's essential to know how to troubleshoot the issue. Here are some common error scenarios and their fixes:
- Error: ##### symbols appear after entering a formula
- Fix: Check the cell format and adjust the column width if necessary.
- Error: ##### symbols appear when using the SUM function
- Fix: Try using the NUMBER format or the GENERAL format to display the result.
- Error: ##### symbols appear when using the TEXT function
- Fix: Check the syntax of the TEXT function and ensure that the format string is correct.
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