# #REF!

a formula points at a cell that no longer exists.

## what it means

The reference itself is gone — the row, column or sheet it addressed was deleted. Unlike a wrong value, the formula text is now permanently broken and must be repointed.

## common causes

- deleting a row, column or worksheet a formula referenced
- a lookup asked for a column index outside the given range
- cutting and pasting over cells another formula depended on

## how to fix it

- undo the delete, then move the formula or its data first
- repoint the reference at the surviving cells
- in deepcalc, read the journal diff to see exactly which structural edit broke it — every rewrite is recorded as an op

## related

#NAME? · #N/A

## navigate

- [all error values](https://deepcalc.com/errors.md)
- [function index](https://deepcalc.com/functions.md) · [concepts](https://deepcalc.com/concepts.md) · [limits](https://deepcalc.com/limits.md)

source: https://deepcalc.com/errors/ref