How to use the ISREF function
What is the ISREF function?
The ISREF function returns boolean value TRUE if value refers to a reference.
What is a cell reference?
A cell reference lets you "fetch" and use values in other cells in a formula.
There are two types of cell references:
- A1-style reference
- R1C1 reference
The A1-style reference is the default style in Excel, it names columns by letters from A to Z. After Z it starts over with AA, AB, and so on until XFD. Rows are numbered from 1 to 1048576, older Excel versions use less row numbers.
The R1C1-style uses row number and column number like: R1C1, R2C5 and R10C15. Rows are labeled R1, R2, R3 and so on, columns are labeled C1, C2, C3 etc.
The A1-style reference notation is the most common one, here are some examples:
A1 - single cell reference on the same worksheet
A1:D5 - reference to a cell range on the same worksheet
Budget!Z3 - a single cell reference to worksheet Budget
'Budget 2050'!A3 - a single cell reference to a worksheet containing a space character
There are two types of cell references:
- Relative cell references
- Absolute cell references
The examples above are all relative cell references, they change accordingly if a cell is copied and pasted to another cell which absolute cell references do not.
The $ dollar character lets you an absolute cell reference meaning you can lock a cell reference horizontally, vertically or both. Here is one example:
A$1 has a relative column reference but an absolute row reference, this means that the column letter may change if the cell is copied and pasted to cells in another column than A.
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. There are some functions that also return TRUE or FALSE and the ISREF function is one of them.
Why check if a cell reference is valid?
The ISREF function lets you catch reference errors in formulas. You can also use it check if a named range exists, see the example below.
Other related functions
| Excel Function and Arguments | Description |
|---|---|
| INDIRECT(ref_text, [a1]) | Returns reference specified by text in cell |
| OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width]) | Returns cell offset from reference cell |
| INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num]) | Returns value in array based on indices |
| SHEET(value) | Returns sheet number for given reference |
| SHEETS(index) | Returns sheet name based on index |
| ADDRESS(row, column, [abs], [a1], [sheet]) | Returns cell address text |
ISREF function Syntax
ISREF(value)
ISREF function Arguments
| value | Required. The value you want to check for a reference. |
ISREF function example
Formula in cell C3:
ISREF function - check if named range exists
The following formula checks if the named range "Revenue" exists in you workbook.
ISREF function not working
The ISREF function returns boolean value FALSE if the cell reference is enclosed in double quotes.
Functions in 'Information' category
The ISREF function function is one of many functions in the 'Information' category.
How to comment
How to add a formula to your comment
<code>Insert your formula here.</code>
Convert less than and larger than signs
Use html character entities instead of less than and larger than signs.
< becomes < and > becomes >
How to add VBA code to your comment
[vb 1="vbnet" language=","]
Put your VBA code here.
[/vb]
How to add a picture to your comment:
Upload picture to postimage.org or imgur
Paste image link to your comment.
Contact Oscar
You can contact me through this contact form