Excel ISERR Function
The ISERR function checks if a value is an error (except #N/A) and returns TRUE or FALSE. It identifies calculation errors in formulas.
Excel
Google SheetsExcelGoogle Sheets=ISERR(value)Quick Answer
ISERR function ISERR function checks if a value is an error (except #N/A) and returns TRUE or FALSE. It helps identify and handle errors in formulas without catching #N/A errors.
=ISERR(value)- value - the value or cell reference to test for error values (except #N/A)
Practical Examples
Basic Error Detection
Check if a division formula produces an error
Conditional Formula with Error Handling
Display custom message when calculation produces an error
Ignoring #N/A in VLOOKUP
Check for errors but allow #N/A results to pass through
Data Quality Check
Count cells with errors (excluding #N/A) in a range
Nested Formula Error Prevention
Protect complex calculations from propagating errors
Common Errors and Solutions
ISERR returns #VALUE! error
Occurs when ISERR itself is given invalid syntax or circular reference
Check that ISERR has exactly one argument and the formula it's checking is valid
Always validate the formula being tested with ISERR before deploying
Example:
ISERR returns TRUE when you expect FALSE or vice versa
Confusion between ISERR (excludes #N/A) and ISERROR (includes all errors)
Use ISERROR if you want to catch #N/A errors, or use ISNA specifically for #N/A
Understand that ISERR intentionally ignores #N/A - use ISERROR for comprehensive error checking
Example:
#N/A errors pass through undetected
ISERR specifically excludes #N/A from error detection by design
Use ISERROR to catch all errors including #N/A, or combine ISERR with ISNA for separate handling
Decide if #N/A should be treated as error - use ISERROR for all errors, ISERR to exclude #N/A
Example:
Best Practices and Pro Tips
Choose the Right Error Function
Use ISERR when you want to catch calculation errors but allow #N/A (like from VLOOKUP) to indicate 'not found'. Use ISERROR when you want to catch ALL errors including #N/A. Use IFERROR for modern, cleaner error handling.
Data Validation Pattern
Combine ISERR with ISNA for comprehensive but separate error handling: =IF(ISERR(formula), 'Error', IF(ISNA(formula), 'Not Found', formula))
Legacy Function Alert
ISERR is a legacy function maintained for compatibility. For new spreadsheets, consider using IFERROR or IFNA which provide cleaner, more readable error handling solutions.
Audit Complex Spreadsheets
Use =SUMPRODUCT(--ISERR(range)) to count calculation errors in a range, excluding intentional #N/A values from lookup functions. Perfect for quality control.
Platform Compatibility
ISERR works identically in Excel (all versions) and Google Sheets. It's one of the original IS functions with universal support across spreadsheet platforms.
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Example Excel formula:
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