> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/other-information/glossary/special-values.md). # Special values Learn what special values such as NaN, Infinity, zero, and blank cells mean, and how they're handled in different modules. Some values require special handling when they're displayed or used in calculations and charts. The meaning of these values is consistent across Phocas, but how they're displayed and handled might vary between modules. Understanding these differences can help you interpret your data correctly.

Examples of special values you might see in Flex Modes

Examples of special values you might see in Financial Statements

### What special values mean

Value	Meaning
NaN (not a number)	A value that can't be represented as a number. For example, this can result from text in a numeric column, a calculation that has no defined numeric result, or zero divided by zero. 0 ÷ 0 → NaN
Infinity (+∞ / −∞)	The result of dividing a non-zero number by zero. The sign depends on whether the number was positive or negative. non-zero ÷ 0 → ±∞
0	The numeric value zero.
- (dash)	Usually represents zero because of the number format applied to the value.
Blank cell	No value exists for the cell.
#ERR	An error occurred in a calculation, such as when a formula contains text or references a missing column.

### Flex Modes #### Special values in calculations The following table explains how Flex Modes handles these special values in calculations.

Value displayed in the grid	In calculations
NaN	Ignored where only numeric values are used.
Infinity	Displayed as the word Infinity. Included as a numeric value when calculating the total or average of a row or column. Ignored when calculating the average, count, or sum of selected cells.
0 (might display as -)	Included as a numeric value.
Blank cell	Ignored when calculating averages and totals.
#ERR	Ignored where only numeric values are used.

#### Special values in charts and dashboards Because special values can't be meaningfully plotted, they display as zero in charts to avoid gaps or misleading spikes. This also applies when the chart is displayed on a dashboard.

Example of special values displayed as zero in a chart

### Financial Statements The following table explains how Financial Statements handles these special values in calculations.

Value displayed in the grid

In calculations

NaN

Ignored where only numeric values are used.

Infinity

Displayed using the infinity symbol (∞).

Included as a numeric value in calculations:

If ∞ is present, the sum and average show as ∞.
If –∞ is present, the sum and average show as -∞.
If both are present, the sum and average display as NaN.

Included when calculating the average, count, or sum of selected cells.

0 or -

0 means that all transactions add up to zero or a calculation evaluates to zero.

A dash is only used in Variance Percent columns and means the variance percent evaluates to either zero or infinity.

#### Special values in charts and dashboards Special values that can't be meaningfully plotted typically display as zero in charts to avoid gaps or misleading spikes. This also applies when the chart is displayed on a dashboard. Infinity is handled differently in some chart types: * Bar, Line, Bullet, Gauge and Waterfall: The chart doesn't display if it contains positive or negative infinity. * Pie: Infinity is ignored. * Value Card: Positive or negative infinity displays as **∞** or **−∞**.

Example of a chart that doesn't display because the source data contains infinity

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