Syntax
ERROR.TYPE(error_val)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| error_val | Parameter of the ERROR.TYPE function. |
Examples
Identify error type
Formula
=ERROR.TYPE(A1)
If A1 contains #DIV/0!, returns 2. If #VALUE!, returns 3. If #REF!, returns 4. Returns #N/A if A1 has no error.
Custom error messages
Formula
=IFERROR(CHOOSE(ERROR.TYPE(A1),"Null error","Div by zero","Wrong type","Bad reference","Bad name","Bad number","N/A"), "No error")
Converts cryptic error codes into human-readable messages. CHOOSE maps each error number to a friendly description.
Count specific errors
Formula
=SUMPRODUCT((ISERROR(A1:A100))*(ERROR.TYPE(A1:A100)=2)*1)
Counts how many cells in A1:A100 contain #DIV/0! errors specifically. Error type 2 = division by zero.
Common Errors
#N/A
Returned when the argument is NOT an error — ERROR.TYPE returns #N/A for valid, non-error values. This is intentional.
Tips
Error number mapping
1=#NULL!, 2=#DIV/0!, 3=#VALUE!, 4=#REF!, 5=#NAME?, 6=#NUM!, 7=#N/A, 8=#GETTING_DATA. Memorize 2 (div/0) and 7 (N/A) — they're the most common.
Returns #N/A for non-errors
Counterintuitively, ERROR.TYPE errors (#N/A) when the input is fine. Wrap in IFERROR to handle both cases cleanly.
Debugging tool
When ISERROR is TRUE but you don't know which error, ERROR.TYPE tells you the specific type without having to examine the cell manually.
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