Changing Error Checking Rules

Summary: Excel can check the data and formulas in your worksheet to see if it detects any errors. The rules used for this checking can be modified, if you desire. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

When Excel 2002 or Excel 2003 does background checking of your worksheet for errors, it follows a set number of rules. You can modify the rules that Excel follows through these steps:

Choose Options from the Tools menu. Excel displays the Options dialog box.
Make sure the Error Checking tab is displayed. (Click here to see a related figure.)
Make sure the Enable Background Error Checking check box is selected.
Clear or set the checkboxes at the bottom of the dialog box, each of which specifies a different error-checking rule that Excel can follow.
Click OK.

The error-checking rules can be modified in Excel 2007 by following these steps:

Click the Office button and then click Excel Options. Excel displays the Excel Options dialog box.
Click Formulas at the left side of the dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
Make sure the Enable Background Error Checking check box is selected.
Clear or set the checkboxes in the Error Checking Rules area of the dialog box, each of which specifies a different error-checking rule that Excel can follow.
Click OK.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2370) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Changing Error Checking Rules