Overview: Users may occasionally find that when they view a J51 GST Reconciliation workpaper, they encounter a #SPILL! error in several cells instead of actual figures from the J50 workpaper.
Cause
This can occur for a few reasons, most commonly:
Name range conflicts or Duplicate named ranges exist—often as a result of deleting the J50 BAS workpaper.
The Home sheet is corrupt.
Excel compatibility issues.
Resolution
1- Ensure Excel is up to date:
Confirm you're using a supported version of Excel. Refer to our system requirements page.
2- Optimise Performance:
While in the J51 GST Reconciliation workpaper, click Optimise Performance in the Active Workpapers ribbon. This may resolve the issue automatically.
3- Check Named Ranges:
Go to Formulas > Name Manager.
Look for duplicate named ranges starting with
BAS_. Ideally, there should only be one of each.Duplicates may reference deleted sheets or external links (e.g., a file path). These should be removed. See an example below:
Tip 1: Sometimes incorrect named ranges also reference an external hyperlink like this:
Tip 2: If you're unable to delete a named range, try going to File > Info and unprotecting all relevant sheets. Then, delete the named range. Once you close and reopen the binder, the sheet protections will be automatically restored.
4- Alternatively, delete and Reinsert J50 & J51 Workpapers (if minimal work has been done):
Delete both J50 and J51 workpapers.
Check if any
BAS_named ranges remain. If so, delete them.Reinsert J50 first, then J51.
This recreates the correct named ranges like this and often resolves the issue.
5- Recreate the Home Sheet:
Right-click on any excel sheet tab at the bottom and choose Unhide.
Select the Home sheet and unhide it.
Right-click the Home sheet and select Delete.
In the Excel taskpane, right-click and choose Refresh.
This action recreates the Home sheet, which may also clear any
#SPILL!errors.