Correct a #NUM! error
This error occurs with invalid numeric values in a formula or function.
- Optionally, click the cell that displays the error, click the button that appears
, and then click Show Calculation Stepsif it appears. - Review the following possible causes and solutions.
Using an unacceptable argument in a function that requires a numeric argument
Make sure that the arguments used in the function are numbers. For example, even if the value you want to enter is $1,000, enter
1000in the formula.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 Office Excel iterates formulas.
- Click the
Microsoft Office Button
, click Excel Options, and then click theFormulascategory. - In the
Calculation optionssection, select theEnable iterative calculationcheck box. - To set the maximum number of times that Excel will recalculate, type the number of iterations in the
Maximum Iterationsbox. The higher the number of iterations, the more time that Excel needs to calculate a worksheet. - To set the maximum amount of change that you will accept between calculation results, type the amount in the
Maximum Changebox. The smaller the number, the more accurate the result and the more time that Excel needs to calculate a worksheet.
- Click the
Entering a formula that produces a number that is too large or too small to be represented in Excel
Change the formula so that its result is between -1*10307 and 1*10307.