XL: TYPE() Function Doesn't Return Value 8 for Formula

 Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
Article ID: Q119148
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0a, 5.0, 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.0a
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you use the TYPE() function on a worksheet to return the type of information in a cell, the value 8 is not returned when the cell contains a formula.

CAUSE

The TYPE() function returns information about the type of value that is contained in a cell. Microsoft Excel Help indicates that the TYPE() function returns 8 when the cell you are evaluating contains a formula. However, when the cell contains a formula, the TYPE() function returns a number based on the value returned by the function, not the function itself.

Example

   A1: =SUM(B1:C3)
   A2: =TYPE(A1)
Because the function in cell A1 returns a number value, the TYPE() function in cell A2 returns the value 1, for a number value, instead of the value 8 for a formula value.

Note that the return value 8 was introduced in the version 4.0a function reference. This value was not included in the documentation for the TYPE function in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel.

REFERENCES

For more information about TYPE, choose the Search button in Help and type: 

   TYPE function

Additional query words: 5.00 7.00 97 98 XL98 XL97 XL7 XL5 docerr
Keywords : xlformula
Version : WINDOWS:4.0a,5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:4.0,5.0,5.0a,98
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type : kbdocerr

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.