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How Do I Hide the #NUM! Error in Excel?

Published in Excel Errors 2 mins read

The #NUM! error in Excel indicates that a formula is trying to perform a calculation that is not possible. To hide this error, you can use the IFERROR function.

Using the IFERROR Function

The IFERROR function allows you to specify what should be displayed if a formula results in an error.

Here's how it works:

  • Syntax: IFERROR(value, value_if_error)
  • Explanation:
    • value: The formula or value that might result in an error.
    • value_if_error: The value to be displayed if the formula results in an error.

Example:

Let's say you have a formula in cell A1 that divides two numbers: =A2/A3. If A3 contains a zero, the formula will return a #NUM! error. To hide this error, you can use the IFERROR function like this:

=IFERROR(A2/A3, 0)

This formula will display the result of the division if it's possible. If the division results in an error, it will display a 0 instead.

Other Options:

You can also use the following methods to hide the #NUM! error:

  • Blank Cell: Instead of displaying a specific value, you can choose to display a blank cell by using an empty string (""):
      =IFERROR(A2/A3, "")
  • Custom Error Message: You can display a custom error message of your choice:
      =IFERROR(A2/A3, "Invalid Calculation")

Remember that hiding the #NUM! error won't fix the underlying problem. It simply prevents the error from being displayed. You should investigate the reason for the error and address it if possible.

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