Excel ERROR.TYPE Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

The =ERROR.TYPE(error_val) formula identifies specific error types in Excel, aiding in effective data troubleshooting and analysis.
Excel
=ERROR.TYPE(error_val)

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On this page
  1. Parameters
  2. What is an ERROR.TYPE Formula in Excel?
  3. A Practical Example
  4. ERROR.TYPE Formula
  5. Result of the Formula
  6. Why Use ERROR.TYPE?
  7. Key Takeaways:
  8. Example use case

Parameters

error_val:
The value or reference to a cell that contains the error you want to evaluate. This can be a specific error value (like #DIV/0!, #N/A, etc.) or a reference to a cell that returns an error.

What is an ERROR.TYPE Formula in Excel?

The ERROR.TYPE function in Excel is a useful tool that helps you identify the type of error that has occurred in a formula or function. It returns a number corresponding to a specific error type, allowing you to diagnose issues in your calculations and data analysis.

In simpler terms, the ERROR.TYPE function provides a way to understand what went wrong in your Excel formulas, making it easier to troubleshoot and correct errors.

A Practical Example

Imagine you are working on a financial report, and you have the following data in an Excel spreadsheet:

Financial Data Table:

ItemCostQuantity
Product A502
Product B#DIV/0!5
Product C300
Product D20#VALUE!
Product E103

You want to check for errors in the "Cost" column to understand if any calculations are failing.

ERROR.TYPE Formula

To identify the type of error for the cost of "Product B", you would use the ERROR.TYPE formula as follows:

Excel
=ERROR.TYPE(B2)

Breakdown of the Formula:

  • B2: This is the cell reference where you want to check for an error.

Result of the Formula

When you apply the formula to the cell containing the cost of "Product B", which has a #DIV/0! error, the output would be:

Error Type for Product B
2

Here, the number 2 indicates that the error is a division by zero error.

Why Use ERROR.TYPE?

The ERROR.TYPE function is particularly useful when you need to diagnose errors in your formulas without manually checking each one. It allows you to quickly identify the nature of the problem, making it easier to correct and ensure accurate calculations.

Key Takeaways:

  • ERROR.TYPE: Identifies the type of error in a formula or function.
  • Efficient Troubleshooting: Helps you quickly diagnose issues without manual checking.
  • Common Use Cases: Ideal for error handling in financial reports, data analysis, and any scenario where formulas may fail.

Understanding how to use the ERROR.TYPE function can significantly enhance your ability to troubleshoot and correct errors in Excel, ensuring your data analysis remains accurate and reliable.

Happy troubleshooting!

Example use case

You have a spreadsheet that tracks various calculations across different cells, and you want to identify any errors that may arise from these calculations. By using the ERROR.TYPE function, you can quickly determine the type of error present in a specific cell, such as #DIV/0! or #VALUE!. This allows you to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently, ensuring that your data analysis remains accurate and reliable without needing to manually inspect each cell for errors.

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