MODE ignores direct text and logicals instead of converting them or giving an error

FN-MODE-001: MODE ignores direct text and logicals instead of converting them or giving an error

Documentation differs from behaviour · measured · recorded 2026-11-04

MODE, MODE.SNGL and MODE.MULT take only numbers from their arguments, even when text or a logical is typed directly into the call. A direct "2" or TRUE is not converted, so MODE("2",2) and MODE(TRUE,1) are #N/A: one number, no repeat. Text that is not a number gives no error either: MODE("x",2,2) is 2, and MODE("x") is #N/A. Error values do come through: MODE(2,2,A3) with #DIV/0! in A3 is #DIV/0!, and of two errors the first is returned.

Documentation: Arguments that are error values or text that can't be translated into numbers cause errors. Source documentation

Basis: 30 recorded formula readings across the three functions, and 21 readings each of MODE and MODE.SNGL covering direct text, logicals and errors.

Open: How a reference to one empty cell counts is not settled by these readings.