Excel: Formula to Check if Cell Is Blank (Empty)

Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
Article ID: Q29492

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 1.x, 2.2, 3.0, 4.0
Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2 and 3.0

SUMMARY

To test if a cell in Microsoft Excel versions 1.50 or later is blank (empty), use the statement

   =IF(ISBLANK(ref),Value-if-True,Value-if-False)

where "ref" is the cell to be tested. If ref is empty, Value-if-True is returned. If ref contains something, Value-if-False is returned.

If you are using Microsoft Excel version 1.06 or earlier, use the following formula:

   =IF(ref="",Value-if-True,Value-if-False)

KBCategory: kbusage
KBSubcategory:
Additional words: 1.0 1.00 1.03 1.04 1.06 1.5 1.50 2.0
2.00 2.01 2.1 2.10 2.2 2.20 2.21 3.0 3.00 4.0 4.00

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Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
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