#REF errors on existing sheets that previously worked

Hi,

I've been getting #REF errors over the last week on existing sheets with correct references.

When I look at the reference in the formula it's pointing to the correct column.

I've found a fix where we have to edit the reference to another column. Then change it back to the correct one. After that the #REF error goes away.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this. My guess is that it's on the Smartsheet side as the sheet and reference worked previously. And editing the reference away from the correct column and back again fixes it.

Thanks

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Andrée Starå

Hi @veneer

I hope you're well and safe!

Is it a busy sheet with many cells and cross-sheet formulas?

Are you using VLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH formulas?

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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veneer

Hi @Andrée Starå,

I'm good thanks :)

I had quite a few #REF errors using INDEX/MATCH referencing a relatively busy sheet. The referenced sheet has some columns that are also references.

The most recent one I had today was a very basic sheet referencing another simple sheet.

Over the last week there's been a few odd things going on. Also had a few #BLOCKED errors. I simply go into the sheet they resolve themselves and I resave the sheet.

All these were existing sheets and references that had worked for months.

Thanks

Andrew Cotter

I am encountering a similar issue. Busy sheets, lots of references but no issues until this afternoon. Now getting lots of #REF errors on columns where no changes have been made. Formulas look correct too...

Andrew Cotter

I tried the solution listed above... referencing a different column and then changing it back. That seems to work but is still quite annoying and will add a great deal of work changing and reverting all those references... hopefully it fixes itself overnight! Cmon Smartsheet, you can do it!

veneer

@Andrew Cotter I logged a support case and they have acknowledged it's an issue on their side.

"This is a known issue and our Engineering Team is working on resolving it. "

Would be nice to see it on the https://status.smartsheet.com/ page though.

Daniell Hepting

Thanks, @Andrew Cotter , I am having the same issues at my company where we are getting #REF errors that we can't resolve. Good to know it's something they are working to fix.

BFuller

I am having the same issue. I've contacted support because these sheets/dashboards are working one minute and the next they are #REF. Support says it's some kind of bug and has escalated my inquiry, but I'm still waiting. Right now, it's a guess if when I bring up my dashboard if I will have the data or #REF across the whole thing.

BFuller

I have noticed the #REF error occurs when someone updates via a form the master sheet.

mphi

Hi, this just happened to me this morning PST. Is there an update on this?

Kristy Factor

I found these posts. This is happening to me this morning on several sheets. Is this a bug? If I go open the sheets, it takes it a minute, but then it will resolve on its own. But then if I go away from the sheet, it goes back to #INVALID REF and #BLOCKED errors.

Joanna Bulkley

This just happened to me this morning. Nothing has changed in my formulas but every reference suddenly shows as #INVALID REF. Fixing the formula in every cell is not a reasonable option. Has this bug been identified and a solution developed?

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