The IF function and its possibilities
By inserting an IF function, you create a branch in execution. You formulate a condition (test) for which there are two possible answers. If the condition is TRUE (then_value), the formula is executed and, for example, a result is executed. If the condition is not TRUE (else_value), an alternative message or a “0” is returned.
The syntax of the IF function is as follows:
=IF(check,then_value,else_value)
Use the IFERROR function for efficiency
Since the Excel 2007 release, you can abbreviate an IF function nested with ISERROR with the IFERROR function. You can use the IFERROR function to display errors in a formula and subsequently handle them specifically. The IFERROR function returns a previously specified value or a message when the formula fails.
As explained in the example above, a message with the content “Add missing values” can indicate that not all data has been entered yet. The IFERROR function considers the following error types:
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#RELATION!,
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#DIV/0,
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#NUMBER!,
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#SURNAME! or
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#ZERO!
If there is no error in the formula, it will run as scheduled and return the result of the formula.
Your advantage: The formula is shorter and handles inputs more effectively. This is because the calculation is only performed once. Especially with long lists, this fact can be important and save time when designing and checking the spreadsheet.
How to store the formula
In relation to the example calculation above, proceed as follows:
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First select cell E12.
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In the Microsoft Excel edit line, type the =IFERROR( function.
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In the next step, insert the calculation as the first argument after the brackets, for example: D12/C12).
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With a semicolon as a separator you enter a value for a second argument, for example the text: “Add missing values”. If you want the cell to remain empty, you can also type in two quotation marks one after the other.
Summary and conclusion
Using the Excel function ISERROR is useful and effective for finding out whether a cell has an error. The ISERROR function returns TRUE or FALSE as a result. This depends on whether an error has occurred or not. Most Microsoft Excel users associate the ISERROR function with an IF function. Alternatively, the IFERROR function can be used to avoid nesting in the formula.
