Syntax
IFERROR(value, value_if_error)
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| value | Parameter of the IFERROR function. |
| value_if_error | Parameter of the IFERROR function. |
Examples
Handle VLOOKUP not found
Formula
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2, D:E, 2, FALSE), "Not Found")
Returns: the lookup result, or "Not Found" if the value does not exist in the lookup table
Prevent division by zero
Formula
=IFERROR(B2/C2, 0)
Returns: the result of the division, or 0 if C2 is zero (avoiding #DIV/0! error)
Return blank on error
Formula
=IFERROR(INDEX(B:B, MATCH(A2, C:C, 0)), "")
Returns: the matched value, or an empty string if no match is found
Common Errors
Hides real errors
IFERROR catches ALL errors, including ones that indicate real problems. Be specific with IFNA when you only want to catch #N/A.
Tips
Use IFNA for lookups
If you only want to handle "not found" errors, use IFNA instead. IFERROR can mask genuine formula errors you should fix.
Nested IFERROR for fallbacks
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A1,Table1,...), IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A1,Table2,...), "Not in either table")) tries a backup lookup.
Do not hide bugs
Avoid wrapping everything in IFERROR. Only use it where errors are expected, like lookups that legitimately might not find a match.
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