#NAME? Error in Google Sheets
What it means: Google Sheets doesn't recognize a name in the formula — a function, named range, or unquoted text string.
Quick fix
=VLOOKUP(A2, Sheet2!A:B, 2, FALSE)
Check the function spelling first — a typo like VLOOKP is the most common #NAME? cause.
Why you see #NAME? — and how to fix each cause
1. The function name is misspelled
=SUmIF or =VLOOKP aren't real functions, so Sheets flags #NAME?.
Fix: Retype the function; Sheets shows autocomplete suggestions as you type the correct name.
2. Text is missing its quotation marks
=IF(A2=Done, ...) treats Done as a name. Text values must be in quotes.
Fix: Put quotes around text literals.
=IF(A2="Done", 1, 0)
3. A named range doesn't exist (or was renamed)
Referring to Sales when no named range called Sales exists returns #NAME?.
Fix: Open Data → Named ranges to create or correct the name.
Before and after
| Broken | Working |
|---|---|
=IF(A2=Done, 1, 0) |
=IF(A2="Done", 1, 0) |
Unquoted text is read as a name; quotes tell Sheets it's a literal string.
How to stop it happening again
Let autocomplete finish function names, always quote text literals, and keep named ranges tidy under Data → Named ranges. If a formula worked in Excel but errors here, check that the function exists in Sheets under the same name.
FAQ
Why does #NAME? appear after pasting an Excel formula?
Some Excel functions have different names in Sheets, or the paste dropped quotes. Retype the function using Sheets autocomplete.
Can a language setting cause #NAME?
Yes. If your spreadsheet locale expects semicolons as argument separators, commas can trigger #NAME? — check File → Settings.
→ Google Sheets formulas cheat sheet — 34 copy-paste formulas