Misspelled function
SUMIF spelled SUMIFF returns #NAME? because no such function exists.
What does #NAME? mean in Google Sheets?
#NAME? means Google Sheets does not recognize a name in your formula. That can be a misspelled function, a named range that does not exist, text used without quotes, or a function name from the wrong language locale.
When to use it
Learn #NAME? when pasting formulas from Excel blogs, using named ranges across files, or sharing sheets between US and EU locale settings.
When to skip it
Do not rename functions randomly to fix #NAME? without checking whether the function exists in Google Sheets at all.
How it works
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1
Read the formula bar and look for red flagged tokens or obvious typos like VLOKUP.
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2
Confirm the function exists in Google Sheets and is spelled in your locale language if required.
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3
Check Data > Named ranges for definitions that moved or were deleted.
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4
Wrap text labels in double quotes so Sheets does not treat them as names.
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5
Remove hidden characters from copy-paste with a clean paste into a plain text editor first.
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6
Test the function alone in a scratch cell before nesting it in a long formula.
Examples in Google Sheets
Named range deleted
=RevenueTotal*0.1 returns #NAME? when the named range RevenueTotal was removed.
Unquoted text label
=IF(Status=Active, 1, 0) treats Active as a name unless quoted.
Build this without starting from a blank cell
Use a Better Sheets tool for #NAME? error, then watch a walkthrough when you want the full pattern.
Better Sheets resources
Common mistakes
- Using Excel-only functions without checking Google Sheets support.
- Creating named ranges with spaces and forgetting to quote them in formulas.
- Copying formulas with semicolons into a comma-locale sheet without conversion.
- Assuming LAMBDA names work before LAMBDA is defined in the same file.
- Leaving a stray equals sign inside a string that breaks parsing.
Frequently asked questions
- Why #NAME? after import from Excel?
- Some function names differ or are unsupported. Replace with Sheets equivalents.
- Can named ranges cause #NAME? across files?
- Named ranges are file-local unless you use IMPORTRANGE with explicit addresses.
- Does locale change function names?
- Some locales use translated function names. Match your sheet locale in the formula bar.
- Why #NAME? in INDIRECT?
- INDIRECT built a string that is not a valid reference or points to a missing name.
- Can QUERY cause #NAME??
- Usually parse errors show differently. Check Col labels and quoted strings inside QUERY.
- How do I list my named ranges?
- Data > Named ranges shows all definitions in the file.
- Is #NAME? the same as #REF!?
- No. #NAME? is unknown token. #REF! is a broken cell address.
- Can Apps Script cause #NAME? in cells?
- Only if a custom function name is wrong or the script is not saved or authorized.
Related Tutorials
Watch how #NAME? error works
Create a new Spreadsheet from just a Name in a Sheet.
Your First Formula
Enter Google Drive File Name Get URL
Add Title Case to Google Sheets
How do I reference a different spreadsheet in Apps Script?
Spreadsheet Automation 101: Camel Case
Related blog posts
Guides that explain #NAME? error in more depth.
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Read post →Related glossary terms
Named range
A named range gives a block of cells a readable label like Revenue or ValidStatuses instead of only B2:B500. Define names from Data > Named ranges. Formulas, charts, pivot tables, and validation rules can reference the name, which makes models easier to audit and safer when rows shift inside the named block.
Read guide →Google Sheets formula syntax
Every formula starts with = followed by a function name and arguments in parentheses. Ranges use A1 notation, text sits in quotes, and operators like + and & combine values. Sheets recalculates when inputs change, so syntax errors show as #NAME? or #ERROR! in the cell.
Read guide →Locale separators
Locale controls whether function arguments separate with commas or semicolons and whether decimals use dot or comma. A sheet set to France may expect =SUM(A1;A10) while US expects =SUM(A1,A10). CSV imports and array literals also clash when decimal commas meet comma separators. File > Settings > Locale sets the default behavior for new formulas in that file.
Read guide →LET
LET assigns names to calculated values inside one formula, then uses those names in the final expression. Repeated VLOOKUP keys, tax rates, or date bounds appear once, which shrinks formulas and can reduce recalc work on heavy sheets.
Read guide →Done reading about #NAME? error?
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