#SPILL!
a formula returns multiple values but cannot write them out.
what it means
A dynamic array formula needs a block of empty cells to spill its results into. If anything blocks that block — data, a merged cell, the edge of the grid — the whole formula returns #SPILL! instead of a partial result.
common causes
- a non-empty cell inside the spill range
- merged cells overlapping the spill range
- the spill range would run past the edge of the grid
- a spill inside a table, which cannot hold dynamic arrays
how to fix it
- clear the blocking cells (selecting the error usually outlines the blocked range)
- move the formula somewhere with room to expand
- aggregate to a single value instead, e.g. =SUM(A1:A5)