---
title: "Microsoft Excel - PivotTable #SPILL"
description: "In this article, we look at how PivotTables in Microsoft Excel will now return a #SPILL error when they are not able to expand into a range of cells."
---

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# [Microsoft Excel - PivotTable #SPILL](https://www.fullstackmodeller.com/blog/microsoft-excel-pivottable-spill)

 Written by [Myles Arnott](https://www.fullstackmodeller.com/blog/author/myles-arnott) | Oct 1, 2025, 2:45:00 PM

No more annoying error message pop ups

 

Microsoft announced the PivotTable #SPILL feature to Excel insiders today.

The #SPILL will replace the somewhat annoying "Can't refresh PivotTableX" pop up message that we currently receive when something is blocking a PivotTable from expanding. This brings PivotTables error messaging in live with Dynamic Array functions in Excel.

## **When will I see this error message?**

The #SPILL error will be displayed if you refresh a PivotTable and something is blocking the PivotTable from expanding. This often happens when a you add new field item in to a PivotTable row and the PivotTable then hits some text, values or another PivotTable in the cells below when it expands:

Video from Microsoft tech community [here](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/stay-in-the-flow-with-pivottable-spill-in-excel/4458201)

## How do I clear the #SPILL message?

In short you need to make it possible for the PivotTable to expand. This can be achieved in a couple of ways:

- Simply delete the text blocking the PivotTable, or
- Move the PivotTable so that there is room for it to expand

Video from Microsoft tech community [here](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/stay-in-the-flow-with-pivottable-spill-in-excel/4458201)

## **How do I avoid having this #SPILL error?**

To avoid having the #SPILL error in you PivotTable in the first place give some thought to the design of the layout of your model.

Give your Pivot Tables room to expand.

## Our Future of Excel series

This series of articles focuses on new features soon to be released on Excel. This is based on announcements by the [Microsoft Office Insider](https://insider.office.com/en-gb/) team.

See other articles in our Future of Excel series [here](https://www.fullstackmodeller.com/blog/future-of-excel).

[View full post](https://www.fullstackmodeller.com/blog/microsoft-excel-pivottable-spill)

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