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IFERROR

Returns a value you specify if a formula evaluates to an error; otherwise returns the formula result.

Quick Example​

=IFERROR(A1/B1, 0)

Returns the result of A1/B1, or 0 if the division causes an error.

Syntax​

=IFERROR(value, value_if_error)

Arguments​

  • value (required): The formula or value to check for an error
  • value_if_error (required): Value to return if value is an error

Examples​

=IFERROR(A1/B1, "N/A")               // Return "N/A" if division error
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(...), "Not found") // Handle lookup failures
=IFERROR(A1, 0)                      // Return 0 if A1 has error
=IFERROR(FIND("@", Email), 0)        // Return 0 if @ not found

How It Works​

Catches all error types:

  • #DIV/0! (division by zero)
  • #VALUE! (wrong type)
  • #REF! (invalid reference)
  • #NAME? (unrecognized name)
  • #NUM! (invalid number)
  • #N/A (value not available)

Common Use Cases​

  • Safe division: =IFERROR(Revenue/Units, 0)
  • Lookup with default: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(...), "Unknown")
  • Clean error display: =IFERROR(Formula, "")
  • Validate input: =IFERROR(A1*2, "Invalid input")

Comparison: IFERROR vs IF(ISERROR())​

Using IFERROR (Cleaner)​

=IFERROR(A1/B1, 0)

Using IF(ISERROR()) (Older Method)​

=IF(ISERROR(A1/B1), 0, A1/B1)

IFERROR is more efficient and doesn't evaluate the formula twice.

  • IF - Conditional logic
  • ISERROR - Check if value is error
  • ISBLANK - Check if blank