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In this article
ISERR is TRUE for every error except #N/A. That lets you treat “not found” as normal while still catching real breakages like #DIV/0! or #REF!.
Syntax
=ISERR(value)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
value |
Usually a formula. |
Examples
Example 1
=IF(ISERR(C2), "Check formula", C2)Leaves #N/A visible, flags other errors.
ISERR in practice
Where you will use it
- Catch errors except #N/A
- Flag broken formulas while leaving missing lookups
- Audit checks
Worked example
| Value | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| #DIV/0! | =ISERR(A2) | TRUE |
| #N/A | =ISERR(A3) | FALSE |
| 5 | =ISERR(A4) | FALSE |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Expecting TRUE for #N/A | ISERR excludes #N/A; use ISERROR for all |
| Hiding real problems | Fix the cause, not just the display |
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📎 Practice files for this article
- 📗Practice workbook: Information (IS…) functions15 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.⬇ XLSX · 34 KB
Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.
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