Troubleshooting: Spilled Array with Non-Blank Values - NA

Troubleshooting: Spilled Array Non-Blank Values (NA)

In this article, we will discuss the concept of spilled arrays in Excel and the issues that can arise when non-blank values (NA) are present in these arrays. We will also provide troubleshooting steps and solutions to help you resolve these issues.

What is a Spilled Array?

A spilled array is a range of cells that contains a dynamic array formula result. When you enter a dynamic array formula, Excel automatically spills the formula result into a range of cells, creating a spilled array. Spilled arrays can be created using functions such as FILTER, SORT, and UNIQUE.

Issues with Non-Blank Values in Spilled Arrays

When a spilled array contains non-blank values (NA), it can cause issues in calculations and formatting. For example, if you use the SUM function on a spilled array that contains non-blank values, the SUM function will only consider the non-blank values and ignore the blank cells. This can lead to incorrect calculations and errors in your spreadsheet.

Troubleshooting Steps

To troubleshoot issues with non-blank values in spilled arrays, follow these steps:

1. Identify the spilled array that is causing the issue.

2. Check if the spilled array contains non-blank values (NA).

3. Use the FILTER function to remove the non-blank values from the spilled array.

4. Recalculate the formula that uses the spilled array.

Example

Let's say you have a spilled array in cells A1:A5 that contains the following values:

1
2
3
<NA>
4

If you use the SUM function on this spilled array, the result will be 10 instead of 10 + NA, which is incorrect.

To resolve this issue, you can use the FILTER function to remove the non-blank values from the spilled array:

=SUM(FILTER(A1:A5, A1:A5 <> <NA>))

This will return the correct result of 10.

Spilled arrays are a powerful feature in Excel, but they can cause issues when non-blank values (NA) are present. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can resolve these issues and ensure accurate calculations and formatting in your spreadsheet.

References

• Dynamic Arrays and Spilled Array Behavior in Excel

• FILTER function

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