Excel IFERROR Function
The IFERROR function in Microsoft Excel returns a specified value if a formula results in an error, otherwise it returns the formula’s result. It is useful for handling errors gracefully in calculations, such as division by zero or invalid references.
Key Topics
- Overview of IFERROR Function
- IFERROR Function Syntax
- Implementation Examples
- Sample Dataset
- Key Takeaways
Overview of IFERROR Function
The IFERROR function simplifies error handling by replacing error results (e.g., #DIV/0!, #N/A) with a user-defined value, such as 0 or a custom message. It is commonly used in financial models, data analysis, or dashboards to ensure clean outputs.
IFERROR Function Syntax
The syntax for the IFERROR function is as follows:
Syntax: =IFERROR(value, value_if_error)
Parameters:
- value: The formula or expression to evaluate for errors (required).
- value_if_error: The value to return if the formula results in an error (required).
Implementation Examples
Below are examples of how to use the IFERROR function in different scenarios.
Example 1: =IFERROR(B2/C2, 0) — Returns B2 divided by C2, or 0 if an error occurs.
Example 2: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2, D2:E6, 2, FALSE), "Not Found") — Returns the VLOOKUP result or "Not Found" if an error occurs.
Example 3: =IFERROR(1/B2, "Invalid Input") — Returns 1 divided by B2, or "Invalid Input" if an error occurs.
Sample Dataset (Excel-style View)
Below is a demo dataset styled like Excel, showing how the IFERROR function can be used to handle division errors in sales calculations.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Product | Sales | Units | Price per Unit |
| 2 | Laptop | 1500 | 3 | =IFERROR(B2/C2, 0) |
| 3 | Phone | 800 | 0 | =IFERROR(B3/C3, 0) |
| 4 | Tablet | 1200 | 4 | =IFERROR(B4/C4, 0) |
| 5 | Monitor | 900 | 2 | =IFERROR(B5/C5, 0) |
| 6 | Printer | 1100 | 0 | =IFERROR(B6/C6, 0) |
Note: In the dataset, column D uses =IFERROR(B2/C2, 0) to calculate the price per unit (Sales/Units) and returns 0 if an error occurs (e.g., division by zero in C3 and C6). The formula ensures clean output for invalid inputs.
Key Takeaways
- The IFERROR function handles errors by returning a specified value if a formula fails.
- It replaces errors like #DIV/0!, #N/A, or #VALUE! with a user-defined output.
- It simplifies error handling compared to nested IF with ISERROR.
- Common uses include cleaning up calculations in financial models or lookups.
- The sample dataset demonstrates IFERROR applied to handle division errors in sales data.