IFERROR function
IFERROR returns a value you choose when a formula results in an error, and the formula's normal result otherwise. It keeps reports clean, turning #DIV/0! into 0 or a missing lookup into "Not found", but it also hides real mistakes, so wrap only the part you expect to fail.
- Available in
- Every current version
- Category
- Logical functions
- Returns
- The result of value, or value_if_error when value is any error: #N/A, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!, #NUM!, #NAME? or #NULL!.
- Google Sheets
- Works the same way in Google Sheets.
Syntax
=IFERROR(value, value_if_error)
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
value | Required | The formula to evaluate. |
value_if_error | Required | What to return if value is an error: a number, text in quotes, "" for a blank, or another formula. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| F2 | =IFERROR(B3/C3,0) | 0 | Raj has no orders: 0 instead of #DIV/0! |
| F3 | =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(E2,A2:B4,2,FALSE),"Not found") | Not found | Kim isn't in the list, so the fallback text shows |
| F4 | =IFERROR(B2/C2,0) | $400 | No error here, so the normal result comes through: revenue per order |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Rep | Revenue | Orders | Rep to find | Result | |
| Ana | $4,800 | 12 | Kim | 0 | |
| Raj | $0 | 0 | Not found | ||
| Lee | $3,150 | 9 | $400 |
Practice IFERROR
From lesson 12, Tiered lookups & IFERROR. Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Unknown SKUs
C2, look up the unit price for each SKU from E2:F5. If the SKU isn't in the price list, show Check SKU. Fill down to C6.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| Hiding real errors | IFERROR catches every error, including typos (#NAME?) and broken references (#REF!). Wrap only the lookup or division you expect to fail, and use IFNA around lookups. |
| Returning 0 where a blank is better | A 0 drags down averages and shows up in charts. Return "" to leave the cell blank. |
| Debugging with IFERROR in place | Take IFERROR off while you build a formula, so you can see what is going wrong, then add it back. |
Tips
- XLOOKUP has its own if_not_found argument, so it doesn't need IFERROR.
- Use IFNA instead when you only want to catch missing lookup values.
Questions
How do I hide #DIV/0! in Excel?
=IFERROR(B2/C2,0) shows 0, and =IFERROR(B2/C2,"") shows a blank, when the divisor is 0 or empty.
What is the difference between IFERROR and IFNA?
IFERROR catches every type of error. IFNA catches only #N/A, so other problems such as #REF! or #VALUE! still show up.
Can I use IFERROR with VLOOKUP?
Yes: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(E2,A2:C20,3,FALSE),"Not found"). IFNA is safer, because it won't hide the #REF! from a wrong column number.
Lessons that use IFERROR
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine.