XL2000: #NAME? Appears Copying Formulas to New Workbook (206358)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 2000

This article was previously published under Q206358

SYMPTOMS

When you copy and paste cells containing formulas into another workbook, the #NAME? error may appear in the cells in the new workbook that contain formulas.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when you copy cells containing formulas with row or column labels (also known as natural language formulas).

For example, this problem occurs when you copy cells A1:C4 in the following example into a new workbook.

   A1: Sales   B1: North    C1: South
   A2: John    B2: 140      C2: 120  
   A3: Jane    B3: 130      C3: 110
   A4:         B4:          C4: =Jane South + Jane North

WORKAROUND

If you are copying cells that contain labels in formulas, select the Accept labels in formulas check box before you copy and paste your data. To do this, follow these steps:

On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the Calculation tab, click to select the Accept labels in formulas check box and click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel 2000, the Accept labels in formulas option is off by default. This is different from Excel 97, in which this option is on by default.

If you open a workbook that uses labels in formulas, or natural language formulas, this option is enabled for that workbook.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	11/5/2003
Keywords:	kbnofix kbprb KB206358