What is a Parsing Error
A parsing error or parse error is code that cannot be interpreted because of a missing element within the syntax such as missing or non-matching parentheses, missing or non-matching quotation marks, missing semi-colons etc.
To avoid parsing errors, make sure that your workspace is clean and well-organized. The following checklist will help deal with errors or avoid them altogether:
- Create your own checklist adapted to the programming language to systematically check your work if you encounter errors
- Organize your work, and make use of comments to separate work into sections
- Take breaks, and reevaluate your work. Even if you are working against a deadline, hurrying through work will make it messier and be prone to more and more mistakes, thereby wasting time.
Error | Description | Example |
#DIV/0! | A formula is trying to divide a value in a cell by 0 (or an empty cell with no value) | =B2/B3, when the cell B3 contains the value 0 |
#ERROR! | (Google Sheets only) Something can’t be interpreted as it has been input. This is also known as a parsing error. | =COUNT(B1:D1 C1:C10) is invalid because the cell ranges aren’t separated by a comma |
#N/A | A formula can’t find the data | The cell being referenced can’t be found |
#NAME? | The name of a formula or function used isn’t recognized | The name of a function is misspelled |
#NUM! | The spreadsheet can’t perform a formula calculation because a cell has an invalid numeric value | =DATEDIF(A4, B4, “M”) is unable to calculate the number of months between two dates because the date in cell A4 falls after the date in cell B4 |
#REF! | A formula is referencing a cell that isn’t valid | A cell used in a formula was in a column that was deleted |
#VALUE! | A general error indicating a problem with a formula or with referenced cells | There could be problems with spaces or text, or with referenced cells in a formula; you may have additional work to find the source of the problem. |
If you are working with Microsoft Excel, an interactive page, How to correct a #VALUE! error, can help you narrow down the cause of this error. You can select a specific function from a drop-down list to display a link to tips to fix the error when using that function.
