Excel - ISBLANK Function



ISBLANK Function

The ISBLANK() function will retrieve the Boolean values, either TRUE if the cell contains the empty value or FALSE if it does not. This function is extremely useful in data cleaning, especially when playing with the imported dataset. Thoroughly auditing the massive dataset and inspecting the blank values in every cell constantly drains the expert's valuable time. With the help of the ISBLANK() function, you can identify the empty cells and take further action, like removing those rows or entering the valuable data in missing cells precisely.

Compatibility

This advanced Excel function is compatible with the following versions of MS Excel −

  • Excel for Microsoft 365
  • Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac
  • Excel for the web
  • Excel 2024
  • Excel 2024 for Mac
  • Excel 2021
  • Excel 2021 for Mac
  • Excel 2019
  • Excel 2016
  • Excel Web App
  • Excel 2013
  • Excel 2009
  • Excel 2007

Syntax

The syntax of the ISBLANK() function is as follows −

=ISBLANK(value)

Arguments

Argument Description Required/Optional
Value It specified a cell reference Required

Points to Remember

  • The ISBLANK function was first launched in Excel 2007 and is a part of IS functions.
  • It was beneficial to identify the empty cell in a massive dataset.
  • Alternatively, you can also employ the COUNTIF function to count the number of blank cells.
  • If you provide the circular reference in the Value, the ISBLANK function returns 0.

How to use the ISBLANK() Function in Excel?

Below are the steps to use the ISBLANK() in the range of cells −

  • Load the data from the external source or create a sample worksheet.
  • Select the cell range like C2:C10.
  • Write the = sign and then ISBLANK(cell reference) in the formula bar.
  • Hit the "Ctrl+ Enter" key to evaluate this formula.

Examples of ISBLANK Function

Practice the following examples to learn the use of the ISBLANK function in Excel.

Example 1: How to Compute the ISBLANK Function?

Consider the sample dataset, which consists of two columns named Cell Value and Cell Blank.

How to Compute the ISBLANK Function1

After that, press the "Ctrl+Enter".

How to Compute the ISBLANK Function2

After evaluating the ISBLANK formula, only one cell, C6, contains the TRUE value, indicating that the corresponding cell reference B5 is blank. The FALSE values depict that the cell references in the ISBLANK formula contain the data.

Example 2: How to Fetch the Last Non-blank Cell Value from an Array?

Solution

The array consists of text, numbers, and blank values. We can combine the MATCH, INDEX, and ISBLANK functions to fetch the last non-blank cell value.

Select the C6 cell, enter the formula =INDEX(D4:J4,MATCH(FALSE,ISBLANK(D4:J4),5)), and hit the Enter tab.

Explanation

  • The inner formula ISBLANK(D4:J4) returns the logical values.
  • The expression MATCH(FALSE,ISBLANK(D4:J4)) searches for a False value and returns the relative position of the last False value.
  • After that, the INDEX function fetches the values at the 5 position.
Fetch Last Non-blank Cell Value from an Array1

Once you hit the Enter tab, the last nonblank cell value, "Air purifier" is extracted from the array. Similarly, you can extract the middle nonblank and first nonblank cell values.

Fetch Last Non-blank Cell Value from an Array2
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