Windows & Office Error Code Lookup
Search by error code (like 0x80070005), stop code name (like IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL), Excel formula error (like #REF!), or plain description.
Don't have an exact code yet? See common Windows error messages explained in plain English first.
14 results
#REF! — #REF! Error
A formula is pointing to a cell that no longer exists — usually because a row, column, or sheet it referenced was deleted.
#VALUE! — #VALUE! Error
The formula received the wrong type of data — commonly text where it expected a number.
#DIV/0! — #DIV/0! Error
The formula is dividing by zero or by an empty cell.
#N/A — #N/A Error
A lookup formula (VLOOKUP, MATCH, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH) couldn't find a matching value.
#NAME? — #NAME? Error
Excel doesn't recognize text used in the formula — most often a misspelled function name or a missing quotation mark.
#NUM! — #NUM! Error
A formula produced a number too large or small for Excel to represent, or received an invalid argument.
#NULL! — #NULL! Error
A space was used instead of a comma between two ranges that don't actually intersect.
EXCEL-UNREADABLE-CONTENT — Excel Found Unreadable Content
Excel detected some form of corruption in the file when opening it.
EXCEL-FILE-FORMAT-NOT-VALID — The File Format or Extension Is Not Valid
The file's actual format doesn't match its extension — commonly happens when a file is renamed to .xlsx without actually being converted, or the file is partially downloaded/corrupted.
EXCEL-COMMAND-SEND-PROBLEM — There Was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program
Windows tried to open an Excel file through another program (like double-clicking an attachment) and Excel didn't respond in time — often a leftover invisible Excel process.
EXCEL-OUT-OF-RESOURCES — Excel Ran Out of Resources
Excel hit a memory or resource ceiling, often tied to running 32-bit Office on a very large file rather than actual RAM shortage.
EXCEL-NOT-RESPONDING — Excel Has Stopped Working / Not Responding
Excel crashed or froze completely, usually tied to a specific add-in, a very large/complex file, or a corrupted installation — though it can also just be a long calculation or macro still genuinely running, which looks identical from the outside but needs a completely different fix.
EXCEL-LOCKED-FOR-EDITING — File Is Locked for Editing by Another User
Excel believes someone else already has the file open, so it opened your copy as read-only.
0X800A03EC — Application-Defined or Object-Defined Error (0x800A03EC)
A common VBA/automation error that fires when a macro or formula references a range, sheet, or object that doesn't exist or isn't currently accessible.