how to get a function to return a null value that passes the ISBL.

H

Hawk

How do I get a function to return a null value that passes the ISBLANK test?
Using "" doesn't do it.
 
B

Barb Reinhardt

I don't believe you can use ISBLANK to check what's returned by a function.
What are you checking for? Maybe another function will work.
 
N

Niek Otten

Can't you use "" instead?

Then test with =IF(A1="","yes","no") instead of =ISBLANK(A1,"yes","no")

--
Kind regards,

Niek Otten
Microsoft MVP - Excel

| How do I get a function to return a null value that passes the ISBLANK test?
| Using "" doesn't do it.
 
R

Ron Rosenfeld

How do I get a function to return a null value that passes the ISBLANK test?
Using "" doesn't do it.
Click to expand...

It is not possible. If there is anything in the cell, including a function,
then ISBLANK will return FALSE (because the cell is NOT blank; it has a
function in the cell).

Depending on what you are trying to do, you could perhaps use

=LEN(cell_ref)=0

or

=cell_ref=""
--ron
 
H

Hawk

I've done more searching and I don't think there is a way to do this. It's
not the logical test afterward I'm thinking of, it's having the cell itself
completely blank. I'm using Excel to arrange data for output to a text file
for Abaqus input. Column A has a header text sting for the data in columns
B. C, etc. If a row has a header string it doesn't have data and vice versa.

I have a formula that takes info from col B on another worksheet, performs a
calc if there is a value to work with, and otherwise leaves the cell blank.
Having the 'not really blank' cell causes the header row to be truncated.
Seems strange that getting a truly blank cell is not possible, but I guess if
there is a formula there it's no longer completely blank.

Thanks for the quick replies.
 
R

Ron Rosenfeld

Sorry Ron, didn't see your post b4 I posted my last one. Thanks.
Click to expand...

If the suggestions I made don't help, you could use a VBA Macro do pre-process
before saving and clear everything, including the formula, from the cell.
--ron
 
D

dougcsdp

Hawk said:
How do I get a function to return a null value that passes the ISBLANK test?
Using "" doesn't do it.
Click to expand...
What version are you using? Has anyone tried 2007 yet?

I discovered the same prob w Excel 2000 today. I used the "cell" function
which returned "l" for "label" instead of "b" for "blank." If I highlighted
the cell and hit delete then it's officially "blank."

I skimmed options but didn't see anything obvious.
 
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