Knowledge Base

Works Error: MAX and MIN Functions Return "ERR"

Article ID: 125405

Article Last Modified on 11/15/2004

Microsoft Works 2.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Works 3.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Works 4.5 Standard Edition
Microsoft Works 4.5a
Microsoft Works 4.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Works 4.0a

This article was previously published under Q125405

SYMPTOMS

The MAX or MIN function returns an "ERR" message.

CAUSE

This message results if the range of cells to which the MIN or MAX function refers is entirely blank. If only one or some of the cells are blank, the formula will still calculate the correct result; "ERR" only appears when all the cells in the range reference are blank.

MORE INFORMATION

WORKAROUNDS

Method 1

Enter a 0 (zero) into one or more of the referred blank cells.

Select one of the referenced cells.
Type 0.
Press ENTER.

Method 2

Use a combination of the IF and ISERR functions. For example, the following function will return ERR if B1 through B10 are blank:

=MIN(B1:B10)

To correct the problem, use the following nested function:

=IF(ISERR(MIN(B1:B10)),"",MIN(B1:B10))

The above function will return a blank if B1 through B10 are blank or contain ERR but will return the actual minimum value otherwise.

Additional query words: 2.00 3.00 4.00a 4.50 4.50a w_works maximum minimum statistical spreadsheet database

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB125405