Microsoft KB Archive/71283

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Excel Err Msg: Formula Is Too Long

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 4.0
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.2, 3.0, 4.0

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SUMMARY
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 2.2 has a maximum limit of 255 characters per cell, but there can be only 512 bytes of formula complexity. In Microsoft Excel for Windows and Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0 and 4.0, the limitation of formula complexity was increased to 1024 bytes. In some cases, it is possible to enter a formula that is less than the 255-character limit and still receive the error message &quot;Formula is Too Long.&quot; This message appears because the formula is too complex for Excel to handle in one computation.

MORE INFORMATION
Excel versions 3.0 and 4.0 are limited to 255 characters per cell or 1024 bytes of formula complexity.

For example, the INDEX function is very complex compared to the RAND function and will therefore take more memory. As a general rule of thumb, the more information the function requires, the more complex its internal computations are, and therefore the more memory the formula requires.

Excel version 2.20 is also limited to 255 characters per cell, but there can only be 512 bytes of formula complexity.

Additional query words: 2.20 3.0

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