Divide by Zero

[suil]

I need to enter a formula in to a cell whichrelies on
cells that have no number entered yet. I get the #DIV/0!
result. How can i get the cell to look blank until numbers
are entered in to the dependent cells.

Thanking you i advance.
Suil

 

[dave]

say,"

IF([cell reference which is blank to start]="","",[your
formula])

 

[JulieD]

Hi Suil

=IF(A1="","",B1/A1)

where A1 is the cell you need an entry in and B1/A1 is your "real" formula

Cheers
JulieD

 

[CarlosAntenna]

Julie,

I notice that both you and Dave tested for A1="". Don't know why but I got
in the habit of testing for ISBLANK(A1). Is there any advantage or
disadvantage in using one over the other?

Carlos

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
to check both for zeros and blank cells I would use
=IF(N(A1)=0,"",B1/A1)

 

[Frank Kabel]

The difference is that ISBLANK tests for a ral blank cell thereas =""
also would als process zero length strings

 

[Myrna Larson]

If A1 contains a formula that may return "", ISBLANK is false: the cell
contains the formula, so it can't be blank. Testing for "" tests the return
value of that formula.

 

[CarlosAntenna]

Frank & Myrna,

Thanks for the clarification.

Frank's response to the OP also suppresses the #VALUE error caused by
entering a string.

Carlos

If A1 contains a formula that may return "", ISBLANK is false: the cell
contains the formula, so it can't be blank. Testing for "" tests the return
value of that formula.