How to Fix Error 2023 in VBA Quickly in 3 Minutes (Excel)

Written by Kasper Langmann

Error 2023 in VBA, also known as the ‘#REF!’ error, is a common issue that Excel users encounter. This error typically occurs when a formula refers to a cell that is not valid. This could be due to a number of reasons such as the referenced cell being deleted, or the referenced workbook being closed. While this error can be frustrating, it is fairly straightforward to fix. In the following sections, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to quickly resolve this error in just 3 minutes.

Understanding Error 2023 in VBA

The first step to solving any problem is understanding it. Error 2023 in VBA is a reference error that indicates that a formula is referring to a cell that no longer exists or is not available. This could happen if the cell has been deleted, the workbook that the cell is in has been closed, or if the cell reference is not valid.

For example, if you have a formula that refers to cell B5, and you delete row 5, the formula will return Error 2023 because it is trying to refer to a cell that no longer exists. Similarly, if you have a formula that refers to a cell in a different workbook, and that workbook is closed, the formula will return Error 2023 because it cannot access the referenced cell.

Common Causes of Error 2023

There are several common causes of Error 2023 in VBA. The most common cause is deleting a cell, row, or column that a formula is referring to. This causes the formula to refer to a cell that no longer exists, resulting in the error.

Another common cause is closing a workbook that a formula is referring to. If a formula refers to a cell in a different workbook, and that workbook is closed, the formula will not be able to access the referenced cell and will return Error 2023.

Finally, Error 2023 can also occur if a formula refers to a cell that is not valid. This could happen if the cell reference is typed incorrectly, or if the cell reference is not valid in the current context. For example, if you have a formula that refers to cell A1, and you try to use that formula in a context where cell A1 does not exist, the formula will return Error 2023.

How to Fix Error 2023 in VBA

Now that we understand what Error 2023 is and what causes it, we can move on to fixing it. The process of fixing Error 2023 in VBA involves identifying the problematic formula, determining why the formula is returning Error 2023, and then correcting the formula so that it no longer returns the error.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fix Error 2023 in VBA:

  1. Identify the problematic formula. The first step in fixing Error 2023 is to identify which formula is returning the error. You can do this by looking at the cell that is displaying Error 2023 and noting the formula in the formula bar.
  2. Determine why the formula is returning Error 2023. Once you have identified the problematic formula, the next step is to determine why the formula is returning Error 2023. This will typically involve checking the cell references in the formula to see if they are valid and available.
  3. Correct the formula. After determining why the formula is returning Error 2023, the final step is to correct the formula so that it no longer returns the error. This could involve changing the cell references in the formula, opening a closed workbook that the formula is referring to, or recreating a deleted cell that the formula is referring to.

Example of Fixing Error 2023

Let’s consider an example to illustrate how to fix Error 2023 in VBA. Suppose you have a formula in cell A1 that refers to cell B5, and you delete row 5. As a result, cell A1 displays Error 2023.

To fix this error, you would first identify the problematic formula by looking at cell A1 and noting the formula in the formula bar. You would then determine why the formula is returning Error 2023 by checking the cell references in the formula. In this case, you would see that the formula is trying to refer to cell B5, which no longer exists because row 5 was deleted.

Finally, you would correct the formula by changing the cell reference from B5 to a valid and available cell. For example, you could change the formula to refer to cell B4 instead of B5. After making this change, the formula in cell A1 would no longer return Error 2023.

Preventing Error 2023 in VBA

While it’s important to know how to fix Error 2023 in VBA, it’s even better to prevent it from occurring in the first place. There are several strategies you can use to prevent Error 2023 from occurring in your Excel workbooks.

First, be careful when deleting cells, rows, or columns that are referred to by formulas. Before deleting a cell, row, or column, check to see if it is referred to by any formulas. If it is, consider updating the formulas before deleting the cell, row, or column.

Second, be aware of the impact of closing workbooks that are referred to by formulas. If a formula refers to a cell in a different workbook, make sure that workbook is open whenever the formula is calculated. If you need to close the workbook, consider copying the data into the current workbook so that the formula can still access it.

Finally, always double-check your cell references when entering formulas. Make sure the cell references are valid and available in the current context. If you’re not sure whether a cell reference is valid, try typing it into the formula bar and see if Excel accepts it.

Conclusion

Error 2023 in VBA can be a frustrating issue to encounter, but with a little understanding and some careful troubleshooting, it can be quickly resolved. By identifying the problematic formula, determining why it’s returning Error 2023, and correcting the formula, you can get your Excel workbook back on track in just a few minutes.

And remember, the best way to deal with Error 2023 is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. By being careful when deleting cells, rows, or columns, being aware of the impact of closing workbooks, and double-checking your cell references, you can keep your Excel workbooks error-free and running smoothly.