🔧 Troubleshootingintermediate4 min read

Troubleshooting Formula Issues — When Formulas Don't Recalculate

Fix formula recalculation issues in Unsheet: #VALUE errors, missing formulas, cross-sheet references, and unsupported functions. Quick solutions.

#VALUE! or #REF! Errors

If a cell shows #VALUE! or #REF!:

  • The formula may reference cells outside the loaded data range
  • A cross-sheet reference (e.g., =Sheet2!A1) can't be resolved in the single-sheet engine
  • The function may expect a different data type (text vs. number)

Fix: Ensure all referenced cells are within the main data sheet. Move lookup data into the primary sheet if possible.

Formulas Not Detected

If cells show static values instead of live formulas:

  • The original file may have been saved with "Paste Values" instead of formulas
  • For CSV files, formulas are not preserved (CSV is values-only)

Fix: Upload the original .xlsx file with formulas intact, or import from Google Sheets where formulas are always preserved.

Unsupported Functions

If a formula uses a function not supported by HyperFormula (like GETPIVOTDATA or dynamic arrays), the cell will show an error.

Fix: Replace unsupported functions with supported alternatives. Check the Supported Formulas Reference for the complete list.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my formulas showing errors?
Common causes: the formula uses an unsupported function, it references another sheet that isn't loaded, or the cell references are outside the data range. Check the specific error message.

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