IF for an empty cell
Test for "" before calculating with a cell that might not be filled in yet.
Task:
Column C holds the amount received against each invoice, and stays empty until the customer pays. In D2:D6 show Unpaid when nothing has been received yet, otherwise the balance still owed (invoice minus received).
Interactive Spreadsheet
Hints
+5 XPno-hints bonusSolve it on your own to keep the bonus. Each hint gets one step closer to the formula.
Variations of IF
0/4The same formula in the other shapes it takes at work.
- Basic IF Function
Make the sheet decide, instead of deciding row by row yourself.
CoreIntermediate - IF that returns a calculation
The answer to an IF can be a sum, not just a word.
Intermediate - IF for an empty cell
Test for "" before calculating with a cell that might not be filled in yet.
Intermediate - IF against another cell
Each row carries its own threshold; compare to the cell, not a typed number.
Beginner
The data in this exercise
This is the grid you start with. Cell references in the task — B6, C2 — point at the row numbers and column letters below.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invoice | Amount | Received | Balance |
| 2 | INV-310 | 1200 | 1200 | |
| 3 | INV-311 | 850 | ||
| 4 | INV-312 | 2400 | 1500 | |
| 5 | INV-313 | 640 | ||
| 6 | INV-314 | 990 | 900 |
What this exercise teachesMay contain the answer
Without the test, an empty Received cell counts as zero and the invoice shows its full amount as a balance, which looks exactly like a customer who paid nothing on purpose. Separating "not paid yet" from "paid zero" is the point; INV-310 correctly shows a balance of 0.