#SPILL Error and Autofilling Formulas

Hi all,

So I'm currently running into an issue I've never had with Excel. I'm using Microsoft Excel for Mac Office Home & Student 2021.

I'm trying to get a frequency count of the different response options that students chose for a test, and when I try and do a frequency count, it auto-populates the cell right below it. I believe it's tied to a #SPILL error, or SPILL feature, and I've never had this issue until recently. Is there a way to prevent this from happening? I would only like cells E3 to H3 populated, but am kind of stumped.

I've included a screenshot as well as a workbook with the problematic cell (E4), which also becomes highlighted with a blue border when I select the non-problematic cell (E3). The reason for the screenshot is in case this problem doesn't show up on the attached workbook when viewed.

I'm not even able to delete the 8 cell E4. It seems like it's tied to E3. Just wondering if there's a way to prevent this.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated!
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