SUMIF, COUNTIF, and COUNTBLANK functions return "#VALUE!" Error

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    Excel for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel 2016, Microsoft Excel 2013, Microsoft Excel 2010, Microsoft Office Excel 2007, Microsoft Excel 2002 Standard Edition, Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition

Symptoms

A formula that contains the SUMIF, SUMIFS, COUNTIF, COUNTIFS, or COUNTBLANK functions may return the "#VALUE!" error in Microsoft Excel.

Note

This behavior also applies to the Dfunctions, such as DAVERAGE, DCOUNT, DCOUNTA, DGET, DMAX, DMIN, DPRODUCT, DSTDEV, DSTDEVP, DSUM, DVAR, and DVARP. OFFSET and INDIRECT functions also have this behavior.

Cause

This behavior occurs when the formula that contains the function refers to cells in a closed workbook and the cells are calculated.

Note

If you open the referenced workbook, the formula works correctly.

Workaround

To work around this behavior, use a combination of the SUM and IF functions together in an array formula.

Examples

Note

You must enter each formula as an array formula. To enter an array formula in Microsoft Excel for Windows, press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.

SUMIF

Instead of using a formula that is similar to the following:

=SUMIF([Source]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$8,"a",[Source]Sheet1!$B$1:$B$8)

Use the following formula:

=SUM(IF([Source]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$8="a",[Source]Sheet1!$B$1:$B$8,0))

COUNTIF

Instead of using a formula that is similar to the following:

=COUNTIF([Source]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$8,"a")

use the following formula:

=SUM(IF([Source]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$8="a",1,0))

COUNTBLANK

Instead of using a formula that is similar to the following:

=COUNTBLANK([Source]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$8)

use the following formula:

=SUM(IF([Source]Sheet1!$A$1:$A$8="",1,0))

When to use a SUM(IF()) array formula, use a logical AND or OR to replace the SUMIFS or COUNTIFS function.

Status

This behavior is by design.

More information

The SUMIF function uses the following syntax:

=SUMIF(range, criteria, sum_range).

See How to correct a #VALUE! error for more information.

Reference

For more information about a wizard that can help you create these functions, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type summarize values that meet conditions by using the conditional sum wizard in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For more information about array formulas, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type about using formulas to calculate values on other worksheets and workbooks in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.