Amstrad CPC Line Does Not Exist — How to Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

'Line does not exist' fires when GOTO, GOSUB, RESTORE, or THEN points to a line number that isn't in the program.
Either you mistyped the destination, deleted the line at some point, or used a calculated line number that's wrong.
LIST the program, find the bad reference, and fix the number.

Affected Models

Amstrad CPC 464
Amstrad CPC 664
Amstrad CPC 6128
Amstrad CPC 464 Plus
Amstrad CPC 6128 Plus

Common Causes

Typo in GOTO line number — GOTO 200 when target is 220
Deleted the destination line and forgot to update GOTO
RENUMber moved lines but text outside line numbers stayed
Calculated GOTO produced a non-existent number

How to Fix It

Find the offending line.

The error reports the line number that contains the bad jump.
LIST that line.
The GOTO/GOSUB/THEN inside it points somewhere that doesn't exist.
List the rest of the program.

Type LIST and scroll through.
Look for the destination number — does it exist?
If not, that's why it failed.
Either fix the destination or add the line.

If the destination is a typo, edit the line and correct the number.
If the destination should exist, add it as a new line.
Even a single REM line at that number lets the jump succeed (then place real code after).
Be careful with RENUM.

RENUM updates GOTO/GOSUB/THEN inside listed code, but it can't fix line numbers stored in strings (e.g. used in ON ... GOTO with calculated targets).
After RENUM, run the program — any 'Line does not exist' that pops up is a string-stored number you missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I jump to a line dynamically?

Yes — Locomotive BASIC supports ON I GOTO 100, 200, 300 — picks based on I.
Or use GOTO inside a calculation if you build the program carefully.
But every value that I can take must point to a line that actually exists, or you'll get this error.