Logical
ISBLANK
Definition
ISBLANK returns TRUE when a cell is empty, and FALSE otherwise.
Syntax
=ISBLANK(value)
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
value |
The cell to test, such as B2. |
Worked example
A spare-parts sheet flags a row as filled when the note cell has text. Notes are in B2:B4.
| A: Slot | B: Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | spare |
| 2 | |
| 3 | bolt |
Formula: =IF(ISBLANK(B2),"gap","filled")
Result: filled. B2 holds spare, so ISBLANK is false and IF returns filled. Filled down, the formula gives filled, gap, and filled.
Practice
Cell A2 is empty and cell A3 holds x. In B2, write a formula that returns 1 when A2 is empty and 0 otherwise.
- In B2, write an IF formula that uses ISBLANK and shows 1 when A2 is blank, and 0 otherwise.
- B2 should show the result for a blank A2.
Step 1 of 2
Enter =IF(ISBLANK(A2),1,0) in B2.
A2 is empty, so the result is 1.
Formulas here use English function names, such as SUM, and a period as the decimal separator, in every language.
Loading the sheet…
B2 uses ISBLANK.
B2 now shows 1.
Related functions
IF often wraps ISBLANK so the cell can show 1 or 0. IFS can list an empty-cell test among other tests on the same row.
Common mistake
Treating a cell that holds an empty string from ="" as blank: ISBLANK returns FALSE for that cell, because a formula is present.