The range A2:A5 in a spreadsheet contains numbers that I want to multiply together, so I mistakenly enter =MULTIPLY(A2:A5) in A6, instead of =PRODUCT(A2:A5). Which error will I see in A6?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Using an undefined function name in a spreadsheet produces a #NAME? error. Spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets) recognizes a fixed set of function names; if you enter a name that isn’t defined, the parser cannot resolve it to a known function and returns the #NAME? error.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Function lookup: when a formula begins with =FUNCTION(...), the application looks up FUNCTION in its list of built-in or user-defined functions.
- PRODUCT is a built-in function that multiplies all values in a range. MULTIPLY is not a built-in function in Excel or Google Sheets.
- Common error codes: #NAME? (unknown function or name), #VALUE! (wrong data type), #REF! (invalid cell reference), #DIV/0! (division by zero), #N/A (no value available).

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- You type =MULTIPLY(A2:A5).
- The spreadsheet parses the leading token “MULTIPLY” and attempts to find a matching function or named range.
- No built-in function or named range called MULTIPLY exists by default.
- Because the name cannot be resolved, evaluation halts and the spreadsheet returns the #NAME? error.

3) Intermediate "calculation" / parsing steps shown
- Input: =MULTIPLY(A2:A5)
- Parsing: identify function name = "MULTIPLY"; identify argument = range A2:A5
- Lookup: search for function or name "MULTIPLY" → not found
- Result: return error code → #NAME?

4) Why the correct answer is correct
Because the error specifically indicates an unrecognized function or named identifier, and that is exactly what happens when you use MULTIPLY instead of the correct built-in PRODUCT.

5) Why other errors would be incorrect
- #VALUE! would occur if arguments had incompatible types (e.g., text where numbers required), not due to an unknown function name.
- #REF! would indicate an invalid cell reference (deleted cells), not an unknown function.
- #DIV/0! results from dividing by zero, irrelevant here.
- #N/A indicates missing lookup results; also not applicable.

6) Conclusion
Therefore the cell will display #NAME?, which matches the provided correct answer.

The range A2:A5 in a spreadsheet contains numbers that I want to multiply together, so I mistakenly enter =MULTIPLY(A2:A5) in A6, instead of =PRODUCT(A2:A5). Which error will I see in A6?单项选择题

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