Error Using "R" and "C" as Variable Names in an Excel Macro

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
Article ID: Q38004

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
Microsoft Excel for OS/2 versions 2.2, 2.21, and 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When entering the following function macro, Excel generates an "Error in Formula" message when the ENTER key is pressed at the last line:

   A1: =ARGUMENT("a")
   A2: =ARGUMENT("b")
   A3: =ARGUMENT("c")
   A4: = a + b
   A5: = c + a       <<<=== "Error in Formula"

CAUSE

This error message occurs because the lowercase and uppercase letters "R" and "C", are reserved characters; these characters are used in RC referencing so they cannot be used as variables. "R" and "C" are the only two single characters that are reserved.

KBCategory: kbusage
KBSubcategory:
Additional words: 5.00 2.00 2.0 2.01 2.1 2.10 2.2 2.21 2.20 3.00
3.0 4.0 4.00 err msg

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Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
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