Summary

The #NULL! error is quite rare in Excel, and is usually the result of a typo where a space character is used instead of a comma (,) or colon (:) between two cell references. This error may seem baffling to the average user, but in most cases replacing the space with a comma or colon will fix the problem. See below for more information.

Explanation 

The #NULL! error is quite rare in Excel, and is usually the result of a typo where a space character is used instead of a comma (,) or colon (:) between two cell references. Technically, the space character is the "range intersect" operator and the #NULL! error is reporting that the two ranges do not intersect. This is baffling to the average user but in most cases replacing the space with a comma or colon as needed will fix the problem.

Example 1 - space instead of colon

In the screen below, the formula in C9 returns the #NULL error:

=SUM(C3 C7) // returns #NULL!

#NULL! error example - space instead of colon

In this case, the input was meant to be the range C3:C7, but the colon did not get typed. Once the colon is added, the error is fixed:

=SUM(C3:C7) // returns 1205

#NULL! error example - space instead of colon FIXED

Example 2 - space instead of comma

In the example below, the formula in C5 returns the #NULL error:

=SUM(C2,F2 I2) // returns #NULL!

#NULL! error example - space instead of comma

Here, a space was typed instead of a comma between F2 and I2.  Once the colon is added, the error is fixed:

=SUM(C2,F2,I2) // returns 1205

#NULL! error example - space instead of comma FIXED

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Dave Bruns

Hi - I'm Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.