IFERROR function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation
What is IFERROR function in Excel?
IFERROR function is one of the Logical functions in Microsoft Excel that returns a value you specify if a formula evaluates to an error; otherwise, returns the result of the formula. Use the IFERROR function to trap and handle errors in a formula.
Syntax of IFERROR function
IFERROR(value, value_if_error)
The IFERROR function syntax has the following arguments:
- Value: The argument that is checked for an error.
- Value_if_error: The value to return if the formula evaluates to an error. The following error types are evaluated: #N/A, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!, #NUM!, #NAME?, or #NULL!.
IFERROR formula explanation
- If Value or Value_if_error is an empty cell, IFERROR treats it as an empty string value (“”).
- If Value is an array formula, IFERROR returns an array of results for each cell in the range specified in value. See the second example below.
Examples of IFERROR function
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| Quota | Units Sold | |
| 210 | 35 | |
| 55 | ||
| 23 | ||
| Formula | Description | Result |
| =IFERROR(A2/B2, “Error in calculation”) | Checks for an error in the formula in the first argument (divide 210 by 35), finds no error, and then returns the results of the formula | 6 |
| =IFERROR(A3/B3, “Error in calculation”) | Checks for an error in the formula in the first argument (divide 55 by 0), finds a division by 0 error, and then returns value_if_error | Error in calculation |
| =IFERROR(A4/B4, “Error in calculation”) | Checks for an error in the formula in the first argument (divide “” by 23), finds no error, and then returns the results of the formula. |
Example 2
| Quota | Units Sold | Ratio |
| 210 | 35 | 6 |
| 55 | Error in calculation | |
| 23 | ||
| Formula | Description | Result |
| =C2 | Checks for an error in the formula in the first argument in the first element of the array (A2/B2 or divide 210 by 35), finds no error, and then returns the result of the formula | 6 |
| =C3 | Checks for an error in the formula in the first argument in the second element of the array (A3/B3 or divide 55 by 0), finds a division by 0 error, and then returns value_if_error | Error in calculation |
| =C4 | Checks for an error in the formula in the first argument in the third element of the array (A4/B4 or divide “” by 23), finds no error, and then returns the result of the formula | |
| Note: The formula in the example must be entered as an array formula. After copying the example to a blank worksheet, select the range C2:C4, press F2, and then press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER. |