How to fix the #### (hashtag) error

The "hashtag" error, a string of hash or pound characters like ####### is not technically an error, but it looks like one. In most cases it indicates the column width is too narrow to display the value as formatted. However, there are other causes. See below for more information.

April 14, 2025 · 1 min · 88 words · Tammy Chang

Table of Contents

In most cases, it indicates the column width is too narrow to display the value as formatted.

Drag the column marker to the right until you have doubled or even tripled the width.

Dates and timesmust be positive values.

#### error example - column too narrow

error

How to fix the #REF!

error

How to fix the #NAME?

error

How to fix the #VALUE!

#### error example - column too narrow

error

How to fix the #NUM!

error

How to fix the #NULL!

error

How to fix the #CALC!

#### error example - column too narrow

error

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#### error example - column too narrow

#### error example - column too narrow

#### error example - column too narrow FIXED

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Excel formula: How to fix the #REF! error

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Excel formula: How to fix the #NUM! error

Excel formula: How to fix the #NULL! error

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