While analyzing data in excel sheets, the error Input range must be a contiguous reference is quite common. It is mostly caused by selecting the wrong referencing system in excel. Enabling the R1C1 can often fix these issues. We will look at some of the ways that these can be fixed.
Hypothesis
The Data Analysis: The descriptive statistics tool chooses the input range. I do this by selecting “Sheet1” and highlighting the cells in the input range. It will seem as follows:
Sheet1!$C$2:$C$50 is the input range.
When you finish typing in all of your parameters and hit “Okay,” an error message displays saying, “Descriptive Statistics – Input range must be a contiguous reference.”
I am certain that my data contains integer data types solely, and when I checked the input range again, I discovered that it had been transformed automatically into:
Sheet1 of MyWorkBookName.xlsx is the input range!
R2C3:R50C3
What could be the steps in fixing this problem? Whether this issue is caused by my approach to picking the reference cell.
Additional information if the above description is not clear:
Before raising this question, I attempted to find a solution to the issue on the Internet. Unfortunately, however, others are experiencing the same difficulty, with no apparent remedy.
I am picking data from the same column to make no gaps between the data selections.
I also attempted to omit the header row (which is of text type) to avoid having text type, but the same problem occurred.
Solution 1:
If you are already on the sheet, you should do the following:
Select Data / Data Analysis / Descriptive Statistics from the drop-down menu.
Select your input range by clicking on the drop-down arrow next to the input range and selecting it from the list.
To enlarge the choices window, click on the input range a second time.
The ‘Labels in the first row’ should be selected.
Choose your additional selections and then click on the okay button.
If this does not alter the behavior, could you please reply with the alternatives that you are picking from the prompt box in the prompt box? It could be useful to others on the forum trying to duplicate the issue.
Solution 2:
Select OPTIONS from the drop-down menu.
Step 1: Open an excel sheet and enter our data. After your data is entered, use the data analysis button on the Data tab of the ribbon. Choose the cells you wish to analyze and click okay if it shows the error message; we need to go to the option.
Step 2: From Options, go to the Formulas tab and enable the R1C1 referencing style, and our problem will be fixed.
Conclusion
Now you know how to go around the Input range must be a contiguous reference error. These solutions will help you analyze your data more easily and faster too. This guide will help you in solving your problems.