Excel: Error Message "Extract Range Is Not Valid"

 Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
Article ID: Q24052
The information in this article applies to:
  • Excel for the Macintosh, versions 1.0, 1.5, 2.2, 3.0

SUMMARY

Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh returns the error message "Extract Range Is Not Valid" if the field names in the extract range do not match the field names for the database or if the field names are dates. Excel also generates this error message if you do not choose any field names in your extract range. The error message is also displayed if the field names in the extract range aren't contiguous.

For example, if the field name is entered as Aug 1990, Excel interprets it as the date August 1, 1990. The formula bar displays it as the date 8/1/1990. Dates are not valid field names because field names must be text, and a date is a number. Numbers are not valid for field names.

To use "Aug 1990" as a field name, enter it as text by entering the following into the cell: 

   ="Aug 1990"
The display on the worksheet remains the same; however, the entry is now text so you cannot use it in calculations or change the number formatting.

KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 1.0 1.03 1.04 1.06 1.5 1.50 2.2 2.20
3.0 3.00

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.