XL97: Page Fault Editing Formula That Returns #NULL! Error (169971)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q169971

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 97, if you select a cell that contains a formula that returns a #NULL! error value and you click the formula bar, you may receive the following error message:
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the problem persists, contact the program vendor.
If you click Details, you receive an error message similar to the following:
EXCEL caused an invalid page fault in module EXCEL.EXE at 0137:3024d6bf.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:

  • The formula in question contains a reference to two cells or to defined names that do not have any cells in common.

    For example, the following formula refers to the defined name "Test," which refers to cell C3, and the cell A1:

    =Test A1

    As a result, the formula returns a #NULL! error value. -and-

  • You turn off in-cell editing in Microsoft Excel 97 by following these steps:

    1. On the Tools menu, click Options. Then, click the Edit tab.
    2. Click to clear the "Edit directly in cell" check box.
    3. Click OK.
    -and-

  • Before clicking the formula bar, you double-click the cell that contains the formula, and then click to select the same cell.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods:

  • Select in-cell editing in Microsoft Excel 97 by following these steps:

    1. On the Tools menu, click Options. Then, click the Edit tab.
    2. Click to select the "Edit directly in cell" check box.
    3. Click OK.
    -or-
  • If you double-click a cell that contains a formula that returns a #NULL! error value, edit another cell (make any change) before you click the cell that contains the formula, and then click the formula bar.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel 97, if you turn off in-cell editing and double-click a cell that contains a formula, Microsoft Excel automatically selects the cells and/or defined names that are referred to by the formula in the cell. This feature allows you to quickly determine which cells are referenced by a formula.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/22/2000
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB169971
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