How to fix a circular reference error

Circular reference errors occur when a formula refers back to its own cell. For example, in the example shown, the formula in F7 is: =F5+F6+F7 To resolve circular references, you'll need to find the cell(s) with incorrect cell references and adjust as needed. The article below provides more information and steps to resolve.

April 14, 2025 · 1 min · 106 words · Sean Perez

Table of Contents

This creates an infinite loop that cannot be resolved.

To find circular references, navigate to Formulas > Error checking > Circular references.

This might cause them to calculate incorrectly.

Circular reference error message dialog

Try removing or changing these references, or moving the formulas to different cells."

This warning will appear sporadically while editing, or when a worksheet is opened.

However, unlike other errors (#N/A, #VALUE!, etc.)

Circular reference error message dialog

circular references don’t appear directly in the cell.

error

How to fix the #REF!

error

How to fix the #NAME?

Circular reference error message dialog

error

How to fix the #VALUE!

error

How to fix the #NUM!

error

How to fix the #NULL!

Circular reference error message dialog

error

How to fix the #CALC!

Circular reference error message dialog

Error checking menu on Formulas tab of ribbon

Show circular references in error checking menu

Circular reference fixed, formulas show correct results again

Excel formula: How to fix the #N/A error

Excel formula: How to fix the #DIV/0! error

Excel formula: How to fix the #REF! error

Excel formula: How to fix the #NAME? error

Excel formula: How to fix the #VALUE! error

Excel formula: How to fix the #NUM! error

Excel formula: How to fix the #NULL! error

Excel formula: How to fix the #### (hashtag) error

Excel formula: How to fix the #SPILL! error

Excel formula: How to fix the #CALC! error