I’ve seen some confusing Error messages while working in Excel, and some rather cryptic ones. But yesterday, I saw the least informative Excel message ever, while working with a pivot table in Excel 2013.
The message was spread across the entire screen, and all it showed was the yellow warning symbol. I guess Excel was speechless, due to my bad behaviour.
Have you seen any useless messages in Excel? Or is it just me?
Don’t Move the Field
What had I done, to deserve this silent treatment?
I was writing a post for my Pivot Table blog, and explaining the differences between pivot table calculated items versus calculated fields.
In a pivot table, if you create a calculated item in a field, you can’t move that field to the Report Filter area.
- Pro Tip: That’s just one of the problems with pivot table calculated items – avoid them if you can!
Anyway, while experimenting with the file, I tried to move a field that had a calculated item, and that message popped up. Fortunately, I knew what the problem was, but someone who didn’t know the rule might be more than a little confused.
Error Message in 2010
I’d seen more helpful messages about calculated items before, so I opened Excel 2010, and tried the same thing there.
When dragged the field to the Report Filter area, a much more informative message appeared. I’ve split the message into two lines, so you can read the text.
The message says, “This field cannot be placed in the report filter because it contains calculated items. To place this field in the report filter, first delete the calculated items.”
That’s what I like to see in an error message – an explanation of the problem, and a suggestion for fixing it.
Maybe they’ll fix that 2013 message sometime soon. In the meantime, don’t do that!
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I’ve always liked the catastrophic failure error message. But now I’ll strive to get the speechless one you found.
John, your catastrophic message is definitely scarier, and a good excuse to shut down and Excel, and quit work early.
Thanks for the report, Debra.