Information

ISERROR Function in Excel

Returns TRUE if the value is any error value.

Syntax

  • =ISERROR(value)

Arguments

  • value (required): The value to check

Examples

  • =ISERROR(A1/B1) - Check for division error - Result: TRUE if error
  • =IF(ISERROR(VLOOKUP(...)), 0, VLOOKUP(...)) - Handle lookup errors - Result: Value or 0

Defensive formulas with ISERROR

  • Use IS* functions inside IF to branch on blank, error, text, or number cells.
  • Prefer [IFERROR](/functions/iferror/) when you only need a fallback display value.
  • Error hub: [Fix formula errors](/guides/fix-excel-formula-errors/).

Common errors

  • Catches ALL errors
  • Use ISNA for just #N/A

Use cases

  • Error handling
  • Data validation
  • Conditional logic

Frequently asked questions

  • Should I use ISERROR or IFERROR? Use IFERROR for cleaner formulas: =IFERROR(A1/B1, 0) instead of =IF(ISERROR(A1/B1), 0, A1/B1). IFERROR is shorter and only evaluates the formula once. Use ISERROR when you need the TRUE/FALSE result for other logic.
  • What errors does ISERROR catch? ISERROR catches ALL Excel errors: #N/A, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!, #NUM!, #NAME?, #NULL!. Use ISNA for only #N/A, or ISERR for all errors EXCEPT #N/A.

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.

When to use ISERROR

  • Error handling — common Information scenario for ISERROR.
  • Data validation — common Information scenario for ISERROR.
  • Conditional logic — common Information scenario for ISERROR.

ISERROR in the Information category

  • Browse all Information functions at /categories/information/ for related formulas.
  • ISERROR syntax: =ISERROR(value)
  • value (required): The value to check
  • Confirm ISERROR arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.

Formula checklist before you copy down

  • Confirm ISERROR arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
  • If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
  • Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.

Related Excel functions

  • IFERROR (/functions/iferror/): Returns a specified value if a formula evaluates to an error; otherwise, returns the result of the formula.
  • ISNA (/functions/isna/): Returns TRUE if the value is the #N/A error.
  • ISERR (/functions/iserr/): Returns TRUE if the value is any error except #N/A, otherwise returns FALSE.

Common problems and fixes

  • Why Is IFERROR Not Working? (/problems/iferror-not-working/): Wrap the exact expression that produces the error, use IFNA for #N/A only, and fix the source formula before hiding the error message.
  • How to Fix a Circular Reference in Excel (/problems/circular-reference-warning/): Use Formulas > Error Checking > Circular References to locate the cell, then break the loop with a separate input cell or iterative calculation only when intentional.

Errors to watch for

  • Catches ALL errors — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
  • Use ISNA for just #N/A — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter ISERROR on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
  • Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
  • Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
  • Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.

ISERROR worked examples to copy

  • =ISERROR(A1/B1) — Check for division error. Expected result: TRUE if error.
  • =IF(ISERROR(VLOOKUP(...)), 0, VLOOKUP(...)) — Handle lookup errors. Expected result: Value or 0.

ISERROR reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • ISERROR belongs to the Information category in Excel. Returns TRUE if the value is any error value.
  • Full syntax: =ISERROR(value). Open /functions/iserror/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: Catches ALL errors; Use ISNA for just #N/A
  • Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
  • Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.