XL2000: OFFSET Accepts Negative Values for Height and Width

When you use the OFFSET worksheet function and type a negative number for the Width argument or Height argument, you receive a result and not an error value. This behavior is incorrect.

If the Width argument or the Height argument is less than -1 (-2,-3,-4, and so on), the result of the OFFSET function is the error value #VALUE! unless you enter the formula as an array formula. When you enter the formula as an array, you receive a result and not an error value. This behavior is also incorrect.

NOTE: To enter a formula as an array formula in Microsoft Excel for Windows, enter the formula and press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.

To work around this problem, use a positive integer number for the Width argument and the Height argument of the OFFSET worksheet function.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

According to Microsoft Excel Help, the OFFSET worksheet function requires that the Width argument and the Height argument be a positive number.

For more information about OFFSET worksheet function, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type OFFSET worksheet function in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.