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IFERROR and Error-Proofing Formulas

Table output Has example

Handle errors without hiding real problems.

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Help me handle spreadsheet errors properly. App: [SPREADSHEET_APP]. The formulas that produce errors and their error types: [FORMULAS_AND_ERRORS]. Sample data (fake): [SAMPLE_DATA].

Return a table: Error | Typical cause | How to diagnose | Safe fix.
Cover #N/A, #DIV/0!, #VALUE!, #REF!, #NAME?, #NUM!, and spill errors, with a specific example of each from my formulas where possible.

Then explain the difference between hiding an error and handling it. Show these patterns:
- IFNA for expected "not found" cases: =IFNA(XLOOKUP(...), "Missing"), instead of IFERROR, which hides every error type.
- Protect division: =IF(B2=0, "", A2/B2) or =IFERROR(A2/B2, 0) only when zero is the right answer.
- Return an empty string versus zero, and the effect on sums and charts.
- Add a check column that counts errors in a range (SUMPRODUCT(--ISERROR(range))) and a summary flag.
- Use ISNUMBER and ISTEXT to validate inputs.
- Document assumptions in a note.

Provide a rule set for when to use IFERROR (rarely, with a clear fallback), when to fix the data, and when to show the error on purpose. Add test cases for my formulas and a checklist for a final review before sharing.

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Error | Cause | Diagnose | Fix
#N/A | lookup value missing | check spaces, text vs number | =IFNA(XLOOKUP(...), "Missing")
#DIV/0! | divides by zero | blank denominator | =IF(B2=0, "", A2/B2)
#VALUE! | text in math | ISNUMBER test | clean the data
#REF! | deleted column | trace precedents | rebuild reference
Rule: IFERROR hides every error type, so use IFNA for expected "not found". Add a check cell: =SUMPRODUCT(--ISERROR(A2:A100)) should be 0, with a red flag if not.

• errors