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Logic function

How to use IFERROR in Excel

Shows a fallback when a formula errors.

Syntax

IFERROR(value, value_if_error)
valueThe formula to try
value_if_errorWhat to show instead of an error

Example

Here’s IFERROR on a small table of orders. The highlighted cells are the ones the formula reads.

G2
fx
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(1012,A2:F9,5,FALSE),0)
A
B
C
D
E
F
1
Order
Region
Rep
Units
Price
Revenue
2
1001
East
Maya
4
12
48
3
1002
West
Omar
2
30
60
4
1003
East
Lena
7
12
84
5
1004
North
Maya
1
45
45
6
1005
West
Lena
5
30
150
7
1006
East
Omar
3
18
54
8
1007
North
Lena
6
12
72
9
1008
West
Maya
8
18
144
0Result of =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(1012,A2:F9,5,FALSE),0)

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Common mistakes with IFERROR

It hides every error

IFERROR catches all errors, including typos in your own formula. Build the formula first, then wrap it.

Use IFNA for lookups

For lookups, IFNA hides only “not found” (#N/A) and still shows real mistakes.

What the error messages mean

Type these slips into Gridwise and this is the feedback you get:

Leaving off the closing bracket

=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(1012,A2:F9,5,FALSE),0

Parentheses don’t match. You have 2 opening and 1 closing parentheses. Every ( needs a ).

Questions

What does the IFERROR function do in Excel?

Shows a fallback when a formula errors. The syntax is IFERROR(value, value_if_error).

Why is my IFERROR formula giving the wrong answer?

It hides every error: IFERROR catches all errors, including typos in your own formula. Build the formula first, then wrap it. Use IFNA for lookups: For lookups, IFNA hides only “not found” (#N/A) and still shows real mistakes.

Does IFERROR work in Google Sheets?

Most Excel functions, including the core ones on this page, work the same way in Google Sheets. A few newer functions arrived in Sheets later or behave slightly differently, so test it on your own data.

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