The #SPILL! errors
As you might expect, new functionality in Excel such as dynamic array functions can result in new types of error prompts, too. In The Filter function section, I discussed the #CALC!
error. In this section, I’ll discuss the #SPILL!
error. The first error that we’ll look at arises when other data resides in the immediate area that a dynamic array function needs to display its results. This error can also arise when a user overwrites data that has been returned by a dynamic array function.
The #SPILL! error can appear under two different conditions:
- Cell G7 in Figure 10.24 contains the words
Obstruction blocking UNIQUE
. If you subsequently enter the=UNIQUE(C3:C12)
formula into cell G3, Excel will return#SPILL!
instead of the list of countries you’re expecting. That’s because the contents of cell G7 fall within the range thatUNIQUE
needs to display its results. As shown, when you click on a cell that contains#SPILL!
, such as...