fx
FunctionPedia
Quick Answer

ISERROR Function

Tests whether a value is any error.

✓ Excel✓ Google SheetsExcel All versions

Syntax

ISERROR
(value)

Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRequired
valueThe value, cell reference, or formula result to test.Required

Basic Example

Catch a divide-by-zero error

=ISERROR(1/0)
ResultTRUE

1/0 produces #DIV/0!, which ISERROR detects.

Advanced Examples

Example 1: Test a cell that holds an error

A1 contains #N/A from a failed lookup.

Detect any error in a cell

=ISERROR(A1)
Result: TRUE
#N/A is an error, so ISERROR returns TRUE.

Example 2: Branch on error safely

Show a fallback when a calculation fails.

Combine with IF to replace errors

=IF(ISERROR(A1/B1), "check input", A1/B1)
Result: check input
If B1 is 0 the division errors and ISERROR returns TRUE, triggering the fallback.

How ISERROR Works

ISERROR returns TRUE when the value is any of the seven Excel error values, and FALSE for normal values. It is broader than ISNA (which catches only #N/A) and ISERR (which catches all errors except #N/A). To learn which error occurred, use ERROR.TYPE.

1
Pick the value
Select the cell or formula result to test.
2
Enter the formula
Type =ISERROR(value).
3
Use with IF
Wrap it in IF to provide a fallback for errors.

Important Notes & Limitations

  • Catches all errors including #N/A; use ISNA if #N/A is meaningful and should be left alone.

  • Does not identify which error occurred; use ERROR.TYPE for that.

  • Returns FALSE for ordinary values (not an error).

Common Errors & Fixes

Swallowing meaningful #N/AISERROR treats #N/A like any other error.

Fix: Use ISNA or IFNA when #N/A should be handled differently.

Double computationIF(ISERROR(x),...,x) evaluates x twice.

Fix: Use IFERROR, which evaluates the expression once.

Download Practice File

Practice ISERROR with Real Data

Download a sample CSV file with pre-populated data and practice exercises for the ISERROR function. Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.

Works in Google SheetsCompatible with ExcelIncludes exercises

File format: CSV (comma-separated values) - opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and all spreadsheet apps

Related Tutorials

Excel Name Error Fix: Why #NAME? Appears and How to Fix It

A practical Excel name error fix: every real cause of #NAME?, from typos and unquoted text to XLOOKUP on an older build, plus the exact fix for each one.

Excel VALUE! Error Fix

The #VALUE! error means Excel expected a number but found text. Learn how to fix an excel value error fix fast using IFERROR, VALUE, and clean data checks.

IFERROR vs IFNA

IFERROR vs IFNA: which error handler should wrap your formulas? Compare what each one catches, with lookup and division examples for Excel and Google Sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

ISERROR vs ISERR?
ISERR is the same except it ignores #N/A; ISERROR includes #N/A.
How do I get the error code?
Use ERROR.TYPE on the error cell to get a numeric code.
What is the simplest way to replace errors?
IFERROR replaces any error with a fallback in a single step.