Cleanup function
Excel ISBLANK function
ISBLANK returns TRUE when a cell is completely empty and FALSE when it holds anything. Use it to mark open tasks, catch missing data, or skip empty rows in a calculation.
=ISBLANK(value)Arguments
value- The cell to test.
ISBLANK examples
Every result below was calculated from this sample sheet by the same spreadsheet engine the Cellwise app uses.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Task | Owner | Done on |
| 2 | Order samples | Mia | 2026-04-02 |
| 3 | Book venue | Raj | |
| 4 | Print badges | 2026-04-09 | |
| 5 | Send invites | Mia |
Result: TRUE
TRUE, because nobody has entered a finish date for booking the venue.
Result: Open
Turns the check into a status label.
Result: Needs owner
Flags tasks with no owner, otherwise shows the name.
Result: FALSE
FALSE, because the cell has text in it.
How to use ISBLANK
- Click the cell for the result.
- Type =ISBLANK( and click the cell to test.
- Press Enter to see TRUE or FALSE.
- Wrap it in IF to show your own words instead.
Common ISBLANK mistakes
Cells with a formula that returns ""
They look empty but are not, so ISBLANK says FALSE. Test with =A2="" instead.
Cells with a space
A single space counts as content. Use TRIM or LEN to find them.
Testing a whole range at once
To count empty cells, use COUNTBLANK on the range.
ISBLANK FAQ
How do I check if a cell is empty in Excel?
Use =ISBLANK(A2) for TRUE or FALSE, or =IF(A2="","Empty","Filled") if the cell might hold an empty-text formula.
Why does ISBLANK return FALSE for a cell that looks empty?
The cell holds something invisible, usually a formula returning "" or a space. ISBLANK is only TRUE for truly empty cells.
How do I count blank cells in Excel?
Use =COUNTBLANK(range). Unlike ISBLANK, it also counts cells with formulas that return "".
Practice ISBLANK in these lessons
Related functions
Updated