"Excel found a problem with one or more formula references" - Please tell me where!
One of my least favorite messages that Excel provides is:
"Excel found a problem with one or more formula references in this worksheet. Check that the cell references, range names, defined names, and links to other workbooks in your formulas are all correct."
But I can never find the bad references. It's usually buried somewhere very deep, in a chart series formula, or in a name definition, or who knows where else.
If Excel finds a problem, please Excel, tell us where it is.
Jon Peltier
shared this idea
14 comments
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Anonymous
commented
Anonymous, You have used my account for a very long time I am so shocked
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tim
commented
agree. need to know what range or object. must include named ranges, and conditional formats as well.
ps, Excel users have found a problem with Excel - please fix it
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Ewald
commented
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Ewald
commented
I think it's the following similar thread:
https://excel.uservoice.com/forums/304921-excel-for-windows-desktop-application/suggestions/8778088-make-it-easier-to-find-external-links -
jim
commented
a bit like the point of this thread; you've identified a similar thread but failed to tell us where - I like the irony
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Anonymous
commented
This is similar to an existing thread (currently 267 votes).
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jim
commented
and links!
when I'm told my document has links to other files, please tell me where and what (cell formulae, charts, named ranges, pivot sources,... ...any others?)jim
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Ewald
commented
see Ben Shneiderman's Eight Golden Rules of Interface Design.
(http://www.cs.umd.edu/~ben/goldenrules.html)
5. Prevent errors.
As much as possible, design the interface so that users cannot make serious errors; for example, gray out menu items that are not appropriate and do not allow alphabetic characters in numeric entry fields (Section 3.3.5). If users make an error, the interface should offer simple, constructive, and specific instructions for recovery. For example, users should not have to retype an entire name-address form if they enter an invalid zip code but rather should be guided to repair only the faulty part. Erroneous actions should leave the interface state unchanged, or the interface should give instructions about restoring the state. -
Ian Huitson
commented
Yes Please
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Jan Karel Pieterse
commented
Yes please! Same goes for the message you get where Excel tells you it has removed something from a repaired workbook. But not what.
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Jon Acampora
commented
Agreed! Please give us more info. Thanks! 🙂
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Wyn Hopkins
commented
Agreed
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Ivan Bondarenko
commented
Yes!
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Chris Newman
commented
Yes Please!!!