How to Fix Error 522 in LibreOffice and OpenOffice

A simple and basic guide on how to fix error 522 in LibreOffice and OpenOffice.

LibreOffice is one of the most popular software applications used for data analysis, financial modelling, and reporting. It has some basic errors which are pre-defined. They are meant to tell you the reason for the error.

This guide will see how to fix Error 522 (or Err:522) in LibreOffice.

What is Error 522?

Error 522 usually happens during circular references while using formulas. It applies to both the relative and absolute references. The circular references mean you entered some formulas directly or indirectly referencing the result.

As per the official reference, here’s the explanation:

Formula refers directly or indirectly to itself and the Iterations option is not set under Tools - Options - LibreOffice Calc - Calculate.

Now, let’s demonstrate this.

Open a LibreOffice or OpenOffice spreadsheet.

In the cell A2, enter the following formula:

=A1+A2

Once you hit enter, you should see Error 522 in cell A2.

The reason is a circular reference. The formula is present in A2, and it’s calculating the value using A2. This creates the reference.

How to fix Error 522

• To solve this, you need to determine whether a circular reference is present in your formula, i.e. whether your result cell is part of the formula itself. Hence, carefully analyse your spreadsheet, and you can resolve it.

• Furthermore, you also need to make sure the option iterations are enabled.
  • In OpenOffice, go to Tools > Options > OpenOffice Calc > Calculate and enable the option “Iterations“.
  • In LibreOffice, go to Tools > Options > LibreOffice Calc > Calculate and enable the option “Iterations“.

That’s it. I hope you can now resolve your Error 522 in LibreOffice using the above two methods.