How to use the ISBLANK function
What is the ISBLANK function?
The ISBLANK function returns TRUE if the argument is an empty cell, returns FALSE if not.
What is a blank?
A blank refers to an empty cell, however, you can create a formula that returns nothing so it looks like the cell is empty when it is actually populated with a formula.
You can also populate a cell with a single or multiple blanks or spaces which are not visible. This makes the cell look empty but it is not.
What is an empty cell?
An empty cell is a cell that contains nothing at all.
What is a Boolean value?
A Boolean value in Excel is a value that can only be TRUE or FALSE. It represents binary logic and is the result of a logical expression using logical operators or a result of a few Excel functions that I'll discuss below.
Mastering Boolean logic and logical expressions is key to manipulating data and controlling workflow in Excel.
Other IS functions
| Excel Function | Description |
|---|---|
| ISBLANK(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is empty, FALSE otherwise |
| ISERR(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is any error value except #N/A, FALSE otherwise |
| ISERROR(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is any error value, FALSE otherwise |
| ISEVEN(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is an even number, FALSE for odd numbers |
| ISFORMULA(reference) | Returns TRUE if the cell contains a formula, FALSE otherwise |
| ISLOGICAL(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is a logical value (TRUE/FALSE), FALSE otherwise |
| ISNA(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is the #N/A error, FALSE otherwise |
| ISNONTEXT(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is not text, FALSE if it is text |
| ISNUMBER(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is a number, FALSE otherwise |
| ISODD(value) | Returns TRUE if the value is an odd number, FALSE for even numbers |
ISBLANK function Syntax
ISBLANK(value)
ISBLANK function Arguments
| value | Required. The cell you want to check if empty. |
ISBLANK function example
The ISBLANK function returns FALSE if a formula returns nothing, see picture above in cell B4 and B7. The ISBLANK function correctly identifies cells containing formulas as not empty even though they return nothing.
Formula in cell D3:
How to check if a formula returns nothing
The ISBLANK function returns FALSE if a cell contains a fomrula theat evaluates to "" nothing. If this is not desired then use the equal sign to check if a formula returns nothing, use the following formula:
This returns TRUE if a formula returns nothing "" and FALSE if a formula returns a value.
'ISBLANK' function examples
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Functions in 'Information' category
The ISBLANK function function is one of 19 functions in the 'Information' category.
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