#VALUE or #N/A Error in Cell

Problem

getting #VALUE error or #N/A error in any worksheet in MacNail construction software

NOTE-- This was one of the 'top ten' support problems in MacNail construction software, which we retired in 2001. It has been replaced by Goldenseal estimating software and accounting software.

Diagnosis

usually due to a typo: number typed as letter, or space instead of empty
in accounting, may also be due to bad value or missing title in Master Index

Solution

• TRUE and FALSE values must be spelled out- can't use t or f, for example.
• Cells which are supposed to contain numbers should not contain letters. Watch out for letter 'o' instead of zero, letter 'l' for one.
• XL recognizes a space as a letter, so a cell that looks empty may actually have spaces in it. To completely clear the cell, click in the cell and hit the delete key, then the Enter key.

Comments

IN LABOR LOG and MATERIAL LOG-- #VALUE in the 'total' column for labor or materials may be due to bad values or missing titles in Master Index. Check the burden and wage (labor) or sales tax for valid #. Also check for valid titles-- the second row of wage rate should be LW, for burden, it should be LX. For sale tax, it should be Mtax. If the titles are missing or altered, lookups won't work...
in LEDGER-- the 'type' column should be L, M, O (letter 'oh') or S. Common error is to put in a zero, which gives a #N/A error
the 'no' column next to 'type' should have a number-- common problem is to have letter O, not zero, or to be blank.

Entered 10/13/92 by Vinay. Updated 11/13/2010.