
The next step is either removing the reference manually from the formula, or replacing individual references with range references. Simply press Ctrl + Z key combination to undo the deletion. If you see a #REF error in Excel after deleting a row or column, don't panic! First thing you need to do is undo the action. Deleting any of columns A, B or C causes the formula to return a #REF! error. This scenario happens when you are using a cell reference explicitly and the row or column is deleted.įor example, a cell contains =SUM(A2,B2,C2) formula.

Deleting a structural part in Excel may leave you with #REF! errors. This is probably one of the most common scenarios that generate this error. #REF Error in Excel from deleting a row, a column, or a sheet Rows and columns Let's take a look at these scenarios in more detail and what you can do to prevent a #REF error in Excel. Formulas that generate invalid references.Copying formulas that use relative references somewhere else where the references can't be populated.Deleting a structural part like a sheet, row, or column that contain references used in a formula.There are 3 common reasons that cause a #REF error in Excel: In this guide, we're going to show you how to prevent a #REF error in Excel. This pesky error can pop up after removing a sheet, rows or columns, or copying a formula.

A #REF! error in Excel indicates an invalid reference.
