IFERROR Generator - Hide Errors, Show Fallback | Excel & Sheets

Returns a value you specify if a formula evaluates to an error; otherwise returns the result of the formula.

Generated Formula
=IFERROR(value, "")

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IFERROR: The Essential Error Handler

IFERROR is one of the most important functions for creating robust spreadsheets. It catches errors like #DIV/0!, #N/A, #VALUE!, and #REF! and replaces them with a clean value.

Common Use Cases

  • VLOOKUP with IFERROR: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A1, B:C, 2, FALSE), "Not Found")
  • Division protection: =IFERROR(A1/B1, 0)
  • Clean reports: Replace ugly error messages with blank cells or custom text

Pro Tip: Wrap any lookup or division formula in IFERROR to create professional, error-free reports.

Common Errors & Fixes

  • IFERROR hides errors I want to see

    Causes:
    • Using IFERROR around a formula that can return #VALUE! or #REF! you need to fix.
    • Nested formulas: inner error is caught so outer logic never runs.
    Fixes:
    • Use IFNA instead to catch only #N/A, or fix the inner formula first.
    • Test the inner formula without IFERROR to debug, then wrap once correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

What errors does IFERROR catch?

IFERROR catches #N/A, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!, #NAME?, #NUM!, and #NULL!. It returns your fallback value for any of these.

Should I use IFERROR around VLOOKUP?

Yes. When the lookup value is not found, VLOOKUP returns #N/A. Wrapping in IFERROR lets you show "Not Found" or 0 instead: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(...), "Not Found").

What is the difference between IFERROR and IFNA?

IFERROR catches all errors; IFNA catches only #N/A. Use IFNA when you want other errors (e.g. #VALUE!) to still show, so you can debug them.

Can IFERROR hide formula errors in Google Sheets?

Yes. IFERROR works the same in Excel and Google Sheets. Use it to avoid #DIV/0! from division or #N/A from lookups.

Why is my IFERROR returning the fallback when the result looks correct?

The first argument might be returning an error you do not see (e.g. in a hidden column). Check the inner formula alone; ensure the fallback is only what you want for real errors.

Related Formulas

IFANDORIFS

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