---

Tip #3090 - Let Excel Proofread

Printer Friendly Version | E-Mail This Tip

Like These Tips? Get 'Em Free In Your E-mail Everyday! E-mail Address:

Let Excel Proofread

So, you've just entered a formula into an MS Excel cell and you get this: #NAME.

Now, what's that?

Well, it turns out that you're looking at Excel's way of letting you know you've used a name Excel doesn't recognize.

For me, it most commonly means that I've entered the name of a function with a typo and now Excel is confused.

If you have a short, simple formula, it's no problem to scan what you've typed to find the problem, but what about those long complicated formulae that contain several different functions and named data ranges?

That scenario gets a little tougher to proofread.

It can even get downright frustrating if you're not able to easily find the problem.

So, may I suggest that we let Excel help?

Yeah, I thought you'd like that idea.

In order to have Excel "lend a helping hand," simply type your function names in small case letters.

When you hit the Enter key, Excel will capitalize the letters of all the functions it recognizes.

Then when you go to proofread, you will immediately know that all the function names that are capitalized are not the problem, so you can concentrate on the items that are still in small case.

A quick side note: I found that Excel wouldn't capitalize the names of data ranges, but let's face it, if we can get Excel to at least help narrow down our search for the error, we're making progress!

~ April

Want To Comment On This Tip? Click Here! We'd love to hear from you :-)

---

Like These Tips? Get 'Em Free In Your E-mail

Computer & MS Office Tips

Computer Tips & MS Office Tips Daily - Run your Windows PC like a pro! No matter what your skill level, beginner or advanced, you'll find tons of valuable tips, tricks, and ideas in every issue (plus great software deals). Become the computer guru you've always wanted to be! The tip you've just read was in this newsletter!

Computer Tips & MS Office Tips Weekly - If you don't want our Computer Tips newsletter every day, then sign up for this weekly newsletter to get the best information of the week. Sent on Fridays

Our Other Great Newsletters

Just For Grins - Each issue includes a couple clean jokes, some funny quotes, and a hilarious reader's story. Newsletter is sent five days a week

Life's Adventures - Each issue features a short story. Some of these are of the warm and fuzzy variety, some are sad, some are a little of both, but they all deliver powerful messages. Sent every Tuesday and Thursday.

Software Deals - Every week, we send out great deals in our Software Deals newsletter. Many of these deals are exclusively for our Software Deals newsletter subscribers and can't be found with our regular specials.

Enter Email address:

Your e-mail address is safe with us!
We only use it to send you the newsletters you request. It is NEVER disclosed to a third party for any reason, ever! Plus, if you decided you don't like our newsletters (don't worry, you'll love 'em :-), unsubscribing is fast and easy.

Click Here to find out why we have over 400,000 readers who enjoy our newsletters every week! (And growing fast!)

  (Computer Tips Daily)