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Errors

finPack worksheet functions may return an Excel error when a requested CPI value or calculation cannot be completed.

The most common finPack error is:

#N/A

#N/A​

finPack uses #N/A when the requested CPI result is not available.

Common causes include:

  • The requested country is not supported.
  • The CPI series is unavailable.
  • The requested CPI observation does not exist.
  • A calculation requires historical observations that are unavailable.
  • The month is outside the valid range.
  • The requested averaging period is invalid.
  • The BPOpti service cannot provide the requested result.

Example: unavailable CPI observation​

A formula such as:

=FINPACK.CPI("ca","all-items",1900,1)

may return:

#N/A

if that period is outside the available history for the selected series.

Example: invalid month​

A formula such as:

=FINPACK.CPI("ca","all-items",2026,13)

returns an error because valid month numbers range from 1 through 12.

Example: insufficient history​

FINPACK.CPIAVGCHANGE requires all observations for both averaging periods.

For example:

=FINPACK.CPIAVGCHANGE("ca","all-items",12,2000,6)

cannot return a result if the selected CPI series does not contain all observations required for both 12-month periods.

View additional error information​

Excel may provide additional information for a cell containing an error.

Select or inspect the affected cell to review the error information provided by Excel.

This information may help identify whether the problem relates to the function arguments, unavailable CPI data, or service availability.

#NAME?​

If Excel displays:

#NAME?

first verify that the function name is entered correctly.

Valid finPack function names are:

FINPACK.CPI
FINPACK.CPIINCREASE
FINPACK.CPIAVGCHANGE

For example:

=FINPACK.CPI("ca","all-items",2026,9)

If a correctly entered FINPACK function still displays #NAME?, verify that finPack is installed and available in Excel.

#BUSY!​

A finPack worksheet function retrieves or calculates information through BPOpti services.

While Excel is waiting for a result, the cell may temporarily display:

#BUSY!

If the calculation completes normally, Excel replaces #BUSY! with the returned result.

If #BUSY! persists, check your internet connection and try recalculating the workbook after confirming that finPack is available.

Other Excel errors​

Excel supports several error values for custom worksheet functions.

If you receive an error other than #N/A, #NAME?, or a temporary #BUSY!, confirm:

  1. The finPack function name is correct.
  2. The number of arguments is correct.
  3. Text arguments are enclosed in quotation marks when entered directly.
  4. Numeric arguments contain valid values.
  5. finPack is installed and available.
  6. Your internet connection is working.

If the problem continues, see Troubleshooting.

Check function arguments​

Country​

Use a country supported by finPack.

Current country codes include:

ca
us

Series​

Use a CPI series available for the selected country.

For example:

all-items

Use the finPack task pane to view the series currently available for each country.

Year​

Use a valid year for which the selected CPI series contains the required observations.

Month​

Use a month number from:

1

through:

12

Period length​

For FINPACK.CPIAVGCHANGE, the months argument must be greater than 0.

The selected CPI history must also contain every observation required for both averaging periods.

Internet and service availability​

finPack worksheet functions depend on BPOpti services.

If the function arguments appear correct but a result cannot be returned:

  1. Confirm that the computer has an internet connection.
  2. Confirm that the finPack task pane can retrieve CPI data.
  3. Try the calculation again.

The Diagnostics section of the finPack task pane can also be used to test connectivity to the BPOpti service.

Do not replace errors blindly​

An Excel error can indicate that the requested CPI information is genuinely unavailable.

Before replacing an error with 0, blank text, or another value, determine why finPack could not return the requested result.

For example, zero CPI increase and unavailable CPI increase are not the same thing.