XL97: #NAME? Error After Linking or Updating Data

 Last reviewed: February 12, 1998
Article ID: Q167379
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you use a natural language formula to reference cells, the result is a #NAME? error.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the data the formula refers to is returned from either of the following:

  • a link 

        -or-
  • an external database

WORKAROUND

If a formula that uses a natural language reference returns a #NAME? error after you update data from an external database, do the following to recalculate the formula:

  1. Click the cell that contains the #NAME? error.

  2. Press F2, and then press ENTER.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

When you use natural language formulas, it is not necessary to create defined names or determine the cell ranges in advance. Microsoft Excel 97 determines the range based on the row and column labels that you provide in the table on your worksheet.

You can link data to a Microsoft Excel workbook in the following ways:

  • Use a dynamic data exchange (DDE) link from a different program, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Powerpoint.
  • Create a link from one workbook to another.
  • Create a linked reference from one cell to another within the same workbook.

In Microsoft Excel, you can access data from an external database in the following ways:
  • Use the Microsoft Query add-in to return data to a worksheet.
  • Create a PivotTable that uses external data.
  • Use the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) add-in in a macro.

For additional information on using external data, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   Article-ID: Q141227
   TITLE     : Using External Data with Microsoft Excel

Example

To set up an example that demonstrates the problem, type the following data in a worksheet: 

   A1:              B1: Quarter1  C1: Quarter2
   A2: North        B2: 100       C2: 120
   A3: West         B3: 110       C3: 130
   A4: East         B4: 120       C4: 140
   A5: South        B6: 130       C5: 150
In this example, the following formula returns the value 240 for the sum of quarters 1 and 2 for the West region: 

   = Sum('West')
However, if your data is linked or from an external data source and you update the data, the formula returns #NAME?.

For additional information about using natural language formulas, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   Article-ID: Q161881
   TITLE     : XL97: How to Use Natural Language Formulas

REFERENCES

For more information about natural language formulas, click the Index tab in Help, type the following text 

   labels, in formulas
and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Learn about labels and names in formulas" topic.

Additional query words: 97 XL97 calc recalc calculate update Refreshing
Keywords : xlformula
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb
Solution Type : kbworkaround

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Last reviewed: February 12, 1998
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.