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# Error Handling
Inspect cell values that may be errors, tell error types apart, and check value shape. Authoritative docs:
- Types of errors: https://hyperformula.handsontable.com/docs/guide/types-of-errors.html
- Types of values: https://hyperformula.handsontable.com/docs/guide/types-of-values.html
## Always check `CellError` before using a result
Cell values can be errors (`#DIV/0!`, `#VALUE!`, `#REF!`, etc.). Always test before using a result.
```ts
import { CellError, ErrorType } from 'hyperformula';
const value = hf.getCellValue({ sheet: 0, col: 0, row: 0 });
if (value instanceof CellError) {
// ErrorType enum: DIV_BY_ZERO, VALUE, REF, NAME, NUM, NA, CYCLE, ERROR
switch (value.type) {
case ErrorType.CYCLE:
console.log('Circular reference');
break;
case ErrorType.NAME:
// Usually: function not registered (check plugin registration or i18n language)
console.log('Unknown name:', value.message);
break;
default:
console.log('Error:', value.type, value.message);
}
} else {
console.log('Value:', value);
}
```
## `#CYCLE!` is HyperFormula-specific
Standard spreadsheet apps report cycles differently. HyperFormula's `IF` also reports cycles for all branches, even unreachable ones — this can produce `#CYCLE!` in formulas that Excel or Sheets would evaluate.
## Inspect value shape without catching errors
```ts
import { CellValueDetailedType } from 'hyperformula';
hf.getCellValueDetailedType({ sheet: 0, col: 0, row: 0 });
// → CellValueDetailedType.NUMBER | STRING | BOOLEAN | ERROR | EMPTY | ...
```
Use the detailed type when you need to distinguish e.g. number vs empty without touching the value.
## Returning errors from custom functions
Custom `FunctionPlugin` methods can return a `CellError` to surface a formula error. See [custom-functions.md](custom-functions.md) for the full pattern.
```ts
import { CellError, ErrorType } from 'hyperformula';
return new CellError(ErrorType.DIV_BY_ZERO);
```
## Common causes
| Error | Common cause |
|---|---|
| `#NAME?` | Function not registered (check `registerFunctionPlugin` order or `language` config) |
| `#CYCLE!` | Circular reference — or an `IF` branch that *could* produce one |
| `#REF!` | Deleted row/column broke a formula reference |
| `#VALUE!` | Type mismatch — e.g. passing a string where a number is expected |
| `#DIV/0!` | Division by zero, including empty cells coerced to 0 |
| `#NUM!` | Out-of-range numeric result (e.g. `SQRT(-1)`) |
| `#N/A` | Lookup miss (`MATCH`, `VLOOKUP`) or propagated from an upstream `#N/A` |