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Data Analysis - Descriptive Statistics - Input range must be a contiguous reference

Anonymous
2021-02-28T17:10:11+00:00

When using the Data Analysis - Descriptive Statistics tool, I select the input range by clicking "Sheet1" and highlighting the cells. It will display as:

Input Range: Sheet1!$C$2:$C$50 

However, after entering all arguments and press "Ok", the error "Descriptive Statistics - Input range must be a contiguous reference" appears.

I am sure my data only contain number data types and when I check the input range again, I noticed that it automatically becomes:

Input Range: MyWorkBookName.xlsx Sheet1!R2C3:R50C3

Can someone help me in resolving this issue? I am not sure whether if my method of selecting the reference cell resulting in this error or this is simply a bug. Thank you for any kind suggestions.

Additional details in case the description above are not clear:

  1. I have tried to search for this problem through the Internet before posting this question. However, it seems that there are people encountering the same problem but no solution given.
  2. I am selecting data from the same column and no gaps between them.
  3. To avoid having text type, I even tried to exclude the header row (text type) but the same error occurs.
Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-03-03T18:02:48+00:00

    Hello,

    Is there any difference in the behavior if you do not click on the Sheet first?

    In other words, if you are already on the sheet, and then:

    1. Go to Data / Data Analysis / Descriptive Statistics.
    2. Click on the drop-down arrow next to input range, then select your input range.
    3. Click on the input range again to expand the options box.
    4. Check the box for 'Labels in first row'.
    5. Select your other options and click on okay.

    If this doesn't change the behavior, could you post back with the options in the prompt box that you are selecting. It might help folks in the forum to reproduce the problem.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2021-05-19T17:01:42+00:00

    I have the same problem.

    1. I tried to disable / enable ATP . . . no luck
    2. I tried to repair Windows 10 . . . no luck
    3. I tried it on my laptop, it works well, so only on my desktop (where both MS 365 and W10 are up to date)
    4. The error message comes from CORRELATION, COVARIANCE, ANOVA, t-test . . . etc.

    Please provide a solution as I need the PC in a remote training session.
    Thanks

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2021-05-19T17:08:49+00:00

    I FOUND a WORK AROUND . . . 

    1. Go to OPTIONS 
    2. FORMULAS
    3. WORKING WITH FORMULAS (tab)
    4. Enable the R1C1 reference style . . . 

    it works . . . but not if disabled

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2021-05-19T22:43:03+00:00

    Re:  Descriptive Statistics

    The free 'Professional Compare' workbook has a Descriptive Statistics utility.
    It only calculates the items shown in the image below.

    The data is limited to 65,536 items.
    The program places the results in the first two blank columns to the right of the data.

    Download from OneDrive... https://1drv.ms/u/s!Au8Lyt79SOuhiXoNjAh-_-zLi49O

    '---
    NLtL

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