How to Use the ERROR.TYPE Function in Excel

Summary: Discover the capabilities of the ERROR.TYPE function in Microsoft Excel—an invaluable tool for identifying the type of error in a cell. This tutorial is tailored for data analysts with expertise in mathematics, finance, and trend analysis, offering step-by-step instructions to seamlessly integrate the ERROR.TYPE function into your data analysis toolkit. By mastering this function, you can efficiently determine the specific type of error that occurs in a cell.

The ERROR.TYPE function within Excel empowers you to pinpoint the nature of errors, streamlining your data analysis process. By leveraging this function, you refine your ability to identify errors and optimize your decision-making. To effectively employ the ERROR.TYPE function, follow the comprehensive steps outlined below:

1. Open Excel: Launch Microsoft Excel on your computer.

2. Select a Cell: Choose the cell where you intend to display the error type.

3. Input the Formula: Enter the following formula into the selected cell:

   =ERROR.TYPE(reference)

   Replace "reference" with the reference to the cell containing the error you want to identify.

4. Execute the Formula: After inputting the formula, press the Enter key to execute the ERROR.TYPE function. The cell will display a number representing the error type.

5. Error Type Codes:

   • 1: #NULL!
   • 2: #DIV/0!
   • 3: #VALUE!
   • 4: #REF!
   • 5: #NAME?
   • 6: #NUM!
   • 7: #N/A
   • 8: #GETTING_DATA

6. Illustrative Example: If cell A1 contains a #DIV/0! error, use the formula:

   =ERROR.TYPE(A1)

7. Analyzing the Result: As the cell displays the error type code, you can quickly identify the specific error that occurred in the referenced cell.

Conclusion: By mastering the ERROR.TYPE function in Excel, you equip yourself with a powerful tool for efficiently identifying the types of errors that occur in cells. By seamlessly integrating this function into your data analysis toolkit, you refine your analytical capabilities and make well-informed decisions based on accurate error identification. Feel free to reach out with questions or insights, fostering further exploration of this topic.

Note: The ERROR.TYPE function is available in various versions of Microsoft Excel, including Excel 2016, Excel 2019, and Microsoft 365.