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How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error'

When you enter formulas on Excel you will sometimes get an Excel error 'The formula you typed contains an error'.

Table of Contents

Understanding Excel formula error requires more than a headline. The overview below breaks down the key facts, changes, and user impact.

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Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel

Excel formula error 'The formula you typed contains an error' will have the content as shown below. The example below is the RANK formula that ranks but reports an error.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel

Then Excel will ask you to fix the error by:

  • For more information about the recipe, click Help.
  • For help entering a function, click Function Winzard (Formulas tab, Funtion Library group).
  • If you do not try to enter a formula, avoid using an equal sign (=) or minus sign (-), or before it with an apostrophe (').

When you click OK, Excel will indicate the wrong place to correct it. But the problem here is that you edited it but still reported the error. So where is this formula error on Excel? There will be 2 ways to edit.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel (2)

Method 1: Change the sign in the formula

In the entry, the formula = RANK (C2, $ C $ 2: $ C $ 7.0).

This is a completely standard formula, but it still fails because of unsigned conversion. And mark, should allow this error to occur. The temporary plan is to change the seal, seal; in the formula.

The formula when changing the sign will be = RANK (C2; $ C $ 2: $ C $ 7; 0). The data area has been selected correctly. Finally press Enter to finish.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel (3)

Results will appear shortly thereafter.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel (4)

Method 2: How to change a semicolon in Excel

After temporarily fixing the above error, we will proceed to fix the error on the computer. You need to make trailing settings. To mark, to apply to the formula.

Step 1:

We open Control Panel on the computer and find the Clock, Language, and Region section to choose Change date time or number format.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel (5)

With Win XP, go to the Start button and select Control Panel, click on the Regional and language Options and select Customize.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel (6)

With Windows 7, go to Control Panel and select Clock, Language, and Region, click Change the date, time, or number format.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel (7)

Step 2:

Click on Additional Settings. As shown below.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel (8)

Step 3:

Switch to the Customize Format interface, adjust the following:

  • Decimal symbol: By default, the sign is now changed to a sign. Ok
  • Digit grouping symbol: Default is the sign. And you move to the sign, okay.

After editing click the Apply button and click OK to save the changes.

How to Fix Excel Error 'the Formula You Typed Contains an Error' – Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel (9)

So you have a way to fix the formula The formula you typed contains an error on Excel. Please check the sign, in the formula and replace it with a; for the recipe. In case you do not want to change the sign in the system and edit in Control Panel, use the method of 1 to fix the mark.

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I wish you all success!

FAQ

How does Excel formula error work?

Understanding Excel formula error requires more than a headline.

What should you prepare before using this method?

The overview below breaks down the key facts, changes, and user impact.

What should you do if the process does not work as expected?

10 ways to recover corrupted Excel files 7 most common Excel errors for office people Fix "File Error: data may have been lost" error in Excel Instructions for Fixing Formula Errors in Excel Excel formula error 'The formula you typed contains an error' will.

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