how to correct error when I divide cells in excel

Question

In Excel, when I divide two cells I get an error #VALUE!. Both cells are in a Number format. I again changed the cells to Accounting format but I still get the error.

Answer 1

This usually does indicate one or both of the cells is not in a numeric format, please provide a screenshot of your worksheet that shows the two cells used in the formula and the formula you have used.

Answer 2

The #VALUE! error in Excel typically occurs when a function or operator argument cannot be converted to the required type. In the case of division, this error can happen if one or both of the cells being divided contain non-numeric values, even if they are formatted as numbers. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and correct the error:

1. Check for Non-Numeric Values: Ensure that both cells contain actual numeric values. Sometimes, cells may appear to be numbers but actually contain text (e.g., spaces or non-printable characters). You can use the =ISNUMBER(cell) function to check if the cell is truly numeric.
2. Remove Extra Spaces: If the cells contain numbers formatted as text, you can remove any leading or trailing spaces. You can use the TRIM function to clean up the values.
3. Convert Text to Numbers: If the cells are formatted as text, you can convert them to numbers by using the VALUE function or by multiplying the cell by 1 (e.g., =A1*1).
4. Check for Errors in Referenced Cells: If your division formula references other cells, ensure those cells do not contain errors themselves, as this can propagate to your division result.
5. Re-enter the Formula: Sometimes, simply re-entering the formula can resolve the issue, especially if there were any accidental changes to the cell references.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and correct the source of the #VALUE! error when dividing cells in Excel.

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References:

• Returning Errors
• SUMIF, COUNTIF, and COUNTBLANK functions return "#VALUE!" Error