ISBLANK function questions

[William DeLeo]

I am trying to use the ISBLANK() function but I don't
understand why it is behaving the way it is ... there are
times when I enter the ISBLANK function and point it to
an "empty" cell but the result is FALSE. If I double
click into that empty cell and hit "enter" or click away,
the formula changes to TRUE.

In the end, I'd like to have a sheet with the formulas
entered and paste in a column of data (some with numnbers
and some blank). I'd like the function column to look at
the newly pasted data column and place a "<" symbol next
to every blank cell. When I do this now, none of the
blank cells are recognised as blank until I clink into
them. (???)

What could be causing the function to think the cell is
not blank?

Is there a better function to use to determine if a cell
is empty or not?

Thanks so much!

(p.s. I posted a somewhat related question on Friday and
Dave Peterson replied ... Thanks Dave, but your suggestion
didn't work so I am rephrasing the problem here).

 

[Peter Atherton]

William

I tried to reproduce your'e problem with the formula

=IF(ISBLANK(A3),">","")

However calculation was instantaneous. Two things to look
at is the calculation set to manual in the workbook and or
do the cells contain spaces in which case the cell is not
blank.

Regards
Peter

 

[Bernie Deitrick]

William,

Often, when you paste data from other applications, there are place
holders involved that make things bad (a very involved technical term,
I realize... ) for Excel formulas. A1 may appear blank, and have
nothing in it, yet not be truly blank until you edit the cell. Anyway,
try using a formula like:

=IF(A1="","<","")

and copy that formula down to match your data in column A.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP

 

[Cathy Dziedzic]

Hi,
I don't know why ISBLANK() is not working properly. You
could use conditional formatting to identify the cells
that are empty. Then you could turn the indicator (cell
you are putting a "<" symbol into), cell another color.

I am guessing that your purpose is identification. I
hope this helps somewhat.

 

[William DeLeo]

Thanks guys!

Bernie: That formula works perfect so I'll use that
instead.

Peter: "calculation set to manual in the workbook" ...
where can I find this setting (for future reference)?

Thanks again!

 

[William DeLeo]

Peter ... I found it ... thanks.

-----Original Message-----
William

I tried to reproduce your'e problem with the formula

=IF(ISBLANK(A3),">","")

However calculation was instantaneous. Two things to look
at is the calculation set to manual in the workbook and or
do the cells contain spaces in which case the cell is not
blank.

Regards
Peter
.

 

[William DeLeo]

Thank you Cathy! The conditional works fine.

-----Original Message-----
Hi,
I don't know why ISBLANK() is not working properly. You
could use conditional formatting to identify the cells
that are empty. Then you could turn the indicator (cell
you are putting a "<" symbol into), cell another color.

I am guessing that your purpose is identification. I
hope this helps somewhat.

.