--- description: This Excel ISBLANK Function tutorial covers ISBLANK function basics and how to use it with different excel functions and with conditional formatting title: Excel ISBLANK Function: How to Use? [Formula Examples] image: https://www.guru99.com/images/excel-isblank-function-1.png --- [Skip to content](#main) **⚡ Smart Summary** Excel ISBLANK Function checks whether a cell is empty and returns TRUE or FALSE. Lessons cover syntax, examples, combining with IF and SUMIF, conditional formatting, and common scenarios. * 🧮 **Syntax:** \=ISBLANK(value) returns TRUE only when a cell is truly empty. * ✅ **Truth Test:** Quickly flag missing data across worksheets. * 🔗 **With IF:** \=IF(ISBLANK(A1),”Missing”,”Filled”) makes readable status. * 📊 **With SUMIF:** Skip empty cells inside SUMIF or SUMIFS criteria. * 🎨 **Conditional Format:** Highlight empty cells using ISBLANK rules. * 🤖 **AI Spreadsheet:** Copilot in Excel suggests ISBLANK formulas instantly. [ Read More ](javascript:void%280%29;) ![Excel ISBLANK Function](https://www.guru99.com/images/excel-isblank-function-1.png) ## What is ISBLANK Function? ISBLANK function used to check whether a cell is empty or not. Since this is an information function, it always returns a Boolean value, true or false. If the cell contains a value it will return false and true will be returned if it is not empty. ISBLANK function in excel is grouped under information function. Information functions help to take a decision based on their results. You may come across a situation where you want to find the blank cells in an excel cell. [![ISBLANK Function](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN1.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN1.png) ## How to use the ISBLANK function? Within a large range of cells when you want to find the blank cell ISBLANK function is the better option. It is also used along with other functions and some formatting methods in Excel. **The formula for ISBLANK function** This is a [simple function in excel](https://www.guru99.com/introduction-to-formulas-and-functions-in-excel.html), and the format is. =ISBLANK(Value) Where Value can be a cell reference ## Example 1 How to use ISBLANK? In following excel, given is the status of some orders. Order number and its delivery date are given. Let’s find the orders which are not yet delivered. | S# | Order\_Number | Delivery\_ Date | | -- | ------------- | --------------- | | 1 | 127504425 | 24-Nov-16 | | 2 | 125387159 | 22-Dec-16 | | 3 | 118531884 | | | 4 | 115178509 | 29-Dec-16 | | 5 | 120962192 | 13-Jan-17 | | 6 | 118427223 | 10-Feb-17 | | 7 | 119727660 | 14-Feb-17 | | 8 | 119787660 | 16-Feb-17 | | 9 | 126387159 | | | 10 | 157504425 | 15-Jun-16 | Here you can consider the orders which do not have a delivery date marked can be considered as not yet delivered. So can apply the formula ISBLANK to find the blank cells in the column delivery\_date. [![How to Use ISBLANK](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN2.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN2.png) The format is ‘=ISBLANK(value)’ for the value you can select the column delivery date corresponding to each order numbers. So, the formula will be as given in the formula bar that is ‘**ISBLANK(C2)**‘ where C2 refers to the delivery date of the first order. [![How to use ISBLANK](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN3.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN3.png) And the value returned as ‘FALSE’ since the delivery date is given which is a non-empty cell. You apply the same formula for the rest of the cells. For the order ‘118531884’ delivery date is not given and the formula returns the result as ‘TRUE.’ [![How to use ISBLANK](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN4.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN4.png) To find the undelivered orders applying the formula to each cell. For the orders ‘118531884, 126387159’ delivery date is not given and is an empty cell. So, the ISBLANK function returns true. The delivery date which is true is the order not yet delivered. [![How to use ISBLANK](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN5.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN5.png) ### RELATED ARTICLES * [MS Excel Notes 101 for Beginners ](https://www.guru99.com/introduction-to-microsoft-excel.html "MS Excel Notes 101 for Beginners") * [Advanced Excel Charts & Graphs \[With Template\] ](https://www.guru99.com/creating-advanced-charts-in-excel.html "Advanced Excel Charts & Graphs [With Template]") * [Sparklines in Excel: What is, Types, Location Range (Examples) ](https://www.guru99.com/excel-sparkline-example.html "Sparklines in Excel: What is, Types, Location Range (Examples)") * [Top 30 Microsoft Publisher Interview Questions and Answers ](https://www.guru99.com/ms-publisher-interview-questions.html "Top 30 Microsoft Publisher Interview Questions and Answers") ## Example 2: How to use ISBLANK with different excel functions? In the above example, the ISBLANK function result gives TRUE or FALSE. The data is given below with order numbers and delivery date. In the status column, you want to get the result as ‘complete’ for orders which are delivered and ‘No’ for which are not delivered. | S# | Order\_Number | Delivery\_ Date | Status | | -- | ------------- | --------------- | ------ | | 1 | 127504425 | 24-Nov-16 | | | 2 | 125387159 | 22-Dec-16 | | | 3 | 118531884 | | | | 4 | 115178509 | 29-Dec-16 | | | 5 | 120962192 | 13-Jan-17 | | | 6 | 118427223 | 10-Feb-17 | | | 7 | 119727660 | 14-Feb-17 | | | 8 | 119787660 | 16-Feb-17 | | | 9 | 126387159 | | | | 10 | 157504425 | 15-Jun-16 | | To get the results in the way you want, have to use some another function along with ISBLANK. IF function is used along with ISBLANK, to give result according to the two different conditions. If the cell is blank, it will return ‘No’ otherwise ‘Complete.’ [![Use ISBLANK with Different Excel Functions](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN6.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN6.png) The formula applied is =IF(ISBLANK(C2), "No", "Complete") Here, * the ISBLANK function will check the cell of delivery date, and according to the value, it will result in the true or false. * This True/False is fed to the IF function that returns a ‘No’ if the cell is empty and statement ‘Complete’ if a value is present. Here is the complete output [![Use ISBLANK with Different Excel Functions](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN7.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN7.png) After applying the formula to the status of each order will get which are orders delivered and not delivered yet. Here the two orders are not completed the delivery rest are delivered. **Also Check:-** [Excel Formulas & Functions: Learn with Basic EXAMPLES](https://www.guru99.com/introduction-to-formulas-and-functions-in-excel.html) ## Example 3: How to use ISBLANK function with conditional formatting? ISBLANK function can be associated with conditional formatting to find blank cells and format the cells accordingly. **Step 1)** Consider the following dataset. Consider the following dataset that consists of data order\_number, bill amount, delivery status. And you want to highlight the bill amount for which delivery is not completed. | S# | Order\_Number | Delivery\_ Date | Bill\_Amount | Status | | -- | ------------- | --------------- | ------------ | -------- | | 1 | 127504425 | 24-Nov-16 | $500 | Complete | | 2 | 125387159 | 22-Dec-16 | $120 | Complete | | 3 | 118531884 | | $130 | No | | 4 | 115178509 | 29-Dec-16 | $100 | Complete | | 5 | 120962192 | 13-Jan-17 | $78 | Complete | | 6 | 118427223 | 10-Feb-17 | $460 | Complete | | 7 | 119727660 | 14-Feb-17 | $321 | Complete | | 8 | 119787660 | 16-Feb-17 | $12 | Complete | | 9 | 126387159 | | $100 | No | | 10 | 157504425 | 15-Jun-16 | $741 | Complete | **Step 2)** Select the entire data. Select the entire data, apply conditional formatting from the Home menu. Home->Conditional Formatting->New Rule [![Use ISBLANK Function with Conditional Formatting](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN8.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN8.png) **Step 3)** Select option ‘Use a formula to determine which cells to format’ Select the option ‘Use a formula to determine which cells to format.’ This will allow you to insert a formula for a range of cells. Give the formula ‘=ISBLANK($A$1:$E$11)’ within the space. [![Use ISBLANK Function with Conditional Formatting](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN9.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN9.png) **Step 4)** Select the format. Select the format which you want to apply to the cells from the format button. 1. By hitting the format button, you will get a dialogue window to select the format of the cells where the formula is applied. 2. Here, select the fill option to high light the formula applied cells where the condition matches. 3. Select the color you want to show 4. Hit the ‘OK’ button. [![Use ISBLANK Function with Conditional Formatting](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN10.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN10.png) **Step 5)** Click ok button. Format will appear in the preview, click ‘OK’ button to apply. [![Use ISBLANK Function with Conditional Formatting](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN11.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN11.png) **Step 6)** Apply ISBLANK formula. It will high light the blank cells after applying the ISBLANK formula with conditional formatting. Since the range value didn’t work here, you have to apply the same rule for the entire column to get the result as below. [![Use ISBLANK Function with Conditional Formatting](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN12.png)](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319%5F0603%5FExcelISBLAN12.png) [ Download the Excel used in this Tutorial](https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1NvFPR0bfH1Dt4rvzGTBel-qbu98g5IPx) ## FAQs ⚡ ISBLANK vs empty-string check? ISBLANK detects truly empty cells; =A1=”” also matches formulas returning empty string. 🤖 Can AI write ISBLANK formulas? Yes. Copilot, ChatGPT, and Excel Labs generate ISBLANK formulas from plain language. 💡 How does AI clean missing data? AI detects empty patterns, recommends ISBLANK rules, and proposes fill strategies. 🔗 How to count blank cells? Use =COUNTBLANK(A1:A100) for blanks including formulas returning empty. 📊 ISBLANK with SUMIF? Use helper columns marking blanks, then reference inside SUMIF, or use SUMIFS with “<>“. 🛡️ Does ISBLANK detect spaces? No. Use TRIM and LEN with IF to flag space-only cells. 🎨 ISBLANK in conditional formatting? Yes. New Rule with =ISBLANK(A1) highlights every empty cell automatically. 📚 ISBLANK vs IsEmpty? ISBLANK is a worksheet function. IsEmpty exists in VBA macros only. #### Summarize this post with: ChatGPT Perplexity Grok Google AI **Stay Updated on AI** **Get Weekly AI Skills, Trends, Actionable Advice.** ##### Sign up for the newsletter Subscribe for Free You have successfully subscribed. 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[Formula Examples]"}}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html#webpage","url":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html","name":"Excel ISBLANK Function: How to Use? [Formula Examples]","dateModified":"2026-06-23T12:13:41+05:30","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.guru99.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.guru99.com/images/excel-isblank-function-1.png"},"inLanguage":"en-US","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html#breadcrumb"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.guru99.com/author/charlotte","name":"Charlotte Miller","description":"I am Charlotte Miller, an Excel VBA Developer with over a decade of first-hand experience.","url":"https://www.guru99.com/author/charlotte","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://www.guru99.com/images/charlotte-miller-author.png","url":"https://www.guru99.com/images/charlotte-miller-author.png","caption":"Charlotte Miller","inLanguage":"en-US"},"worksFor":{"@id":"https://www.guru99.com/#organization"}},{"articleSection":"Excel","headline":"Excel ISBLANK Function: How to Use? [Formula Examples]","description":"This Excel ISBLANK Function tutorial covers ISBLANK function basics and how to use it with different excel functions and with conditional formatting","keywords":"excel","speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":[".entry-title",".summary"]},"@type":"Article","author":{"@id":"https://www.guru99.com/author/charlotte","name":"Charlotte Miller"},"dateModified":"2026-06-23T12:13:41+05:30","image":{"@id":"https://www.guru99.com/images/excel-isblank-function-1.png"},"copyrightYear":"2026","name":"Excel ISBLANK Function: How to Use? [Formula Examples]","subjectOf":[{"@type":"HowTo","name":"How to use ISBLANK function with conditional formatting?","description":"Here is a step by step process on how to use ISBLANK function with conditional formatting:","step":[{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Step 1) Consider the following dataset.","text":"Consider the following dataset that consists of data order_number, bill amount, delivery status. And you want to highlight the bill amount for which delivery is not completed.","url":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html#step1"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Step 2) Select the entire data.","text":"Select the entire data, apply conditional formatting from the Home menu. Home->Conditional Formatting->New Rule","image":"https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN8.png","url":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html#step2"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Step 3) Select option \u2018Use a formula to determine which cells to format\u2019","text":"Select the option \u2018Use a formula to determine which cells to format.\u2019 This will allow you to insert a formula for a range of cells.","image":"https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN9.png","url":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html#step3"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Step 4) Select the format.","text":"Select the format which you want to apply to the cells from the format button.","image":"https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN10.png","url":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html#step4"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Step 5) Click ok button.","text":"Format will appear in the preview, click \u2018OK\u2019 button to apply.","image":"https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN11.png","url":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html#step5"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Step 6) Apply ISBLANK formula.","text":"It will high light the blank cells after applying the ISBLANK formula with conditional formatting. Since the range value didn\u2019t work here, you have to apply the same rule for the entire column to get the result as below.","image":"https://www.guru99.com/images/1/042319_0603_ExcelISBLAN12.png","url":"https://www.guru99.com/excel-isblank-function.html#step6"}]},{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"ISBLANK vs empty-string check?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"ISBLANK detects truly empty cells; =A1=\"\" also matches formulas returning empty string."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can AI write ISBLANK formulas?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Copilot, ChatGPT, and Excel Labs generate ISBLANK formulas from plain language."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does AI clean missing data?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AI detects empty patterns, recommends ISBLANK rules, and proposes fill strategies."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How to count blank cells?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use =COUNTBLANK(A1:A100) for blanks including formulas returning empty."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"ISBLANK with SUMIF?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use helper columns marking blanks, then reference inside SUMIF, or use SUMIFS with \"\"."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does ISBLANK detect spaces?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Use TRIM and LEN with IF to flag space-only cells."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"ISBLANK in conditional formatting?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. 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