Collection of #NAME errors in Excel cells with Excel-Custom-Functions

[merkelfleet]

My message is neither a bug nor a feature. It is intended to be a collection of possible causes for the #NAME error to help us and other developers track down the error.

Our company created an Excel add-in based on VBA. As Microsoft's development with TypeScript, Windows 365, Office 365, and much more is moving towards online-based applications, we decided a while ago to build a new version of the add-in based on Office-js. So the journey begun.

One of our main issues is the so called #NAME error. The Excel cell just show us #NAME? and a short hint to the reason. But the reason is a general one and not specific.

I want to start this discussion to collect reaons and solution regarding this error based on the usage of office-js and the Excel-Custom-Functions. If I have described something incorrectly, please correct me. I am very grateful for any helpful hints.

If you have any other problems where the error is displayed as a result, please feel free to add them. I am of course grateful for any suggestions for solutions.

1. Cached and outdated taskpane

Context

The user added the add-in to Excel and did not use it for a while. In the meantime, updates were made on the provider's side. However, the add-in is still using an old version. However, the backend of the add-in expects a different request.

Solution

• force a reload of the add-in by righ click on it and click reload

2. More than one installed versions of the add-in

Context

The add-in has been installed several times. Once as a shared resource by the company administrator and once by the user themselves.

Solution

• remove the self installed version

3. Two add-ins are using the same function

Context

The user uses two different add-ins that have the same function. Excel tries to split the functions between the add-ins and adds the name of the add-in as a prefix to the function. Sometimes this does not work well - the cell does not know from which add-in it receives its data.

Solution

Option 1

• split the usage of the add-ins into different files

Option 2

• remove one of the add-ins

4. The add-in has not been fully loaded.

Context

Excel is showing “Error installing functions“ in the bottom status bar. The result in the cell is the “#NAME?” error.

Solution

Option 1 (source from General Electric FAQ)

To load Add-In, follow the steps given below:

1. Select Error installing functions/Error loading Add-ins from the footer.
2. Select One or more Addin Failed to load. See that your Addins”-Office Addin pop-up appears.
3. Select Refresh from Office Add-Ins pop-up and close the pop-up.

Option 2

• force a reload of the add-in by righ click on it and click reload

5. A some files are missing while the add-in is loading

Context

If the taskpane (add-in view) is loading but functions aren’t it could be that excel can’t access the functions.json file.
It's based on this Github issue OfficeDev/Excel-Custom-Functions#136 (comment)

Solution

• check with the inspection console, if the files is loading during a reload

6. Not supported Excel version

Context

The add-in is not loading (blank page in taskpane) and / or the cell shows #NAME?.

Solution

The used Excel version don’t support all requirements used by our add-in.
To interact with the Excel cell, we have to use custom functions.
This is supported with:

• Office on the web
• Office on Mac
• Office on Windows
  • Microsoft 365 subscription
  • Office 2016 and later (retail perpetual)
  • Office 2021 (volume-licensed perpetual)

It’s not supported with:

• Office on Windows
  • Office 2019 (volume-licensed perpetual)
  • Office 2016 (volume-licensed perpetual)
• Office on iPad (Microsoft 365 subscription)