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IFERROR Function
Summary
The Excel IFERROR function returns a custom result when a formula generates an error, and a standard result when no error is detected. IFERROR is an elegant way to trap and manage errors without complex nested IF statements.
Syntax
IFERROR(value, value_if_error)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| value | Any |
Yes | The formula or expression to evaluate for errors |
| value_if_error | Any |
Yes | The value to return if an error is detected |
Using the IFERROR Function
IFERROR provides a clean way to handle errors in Excel formulas. Instead of using complex nested IF statements with ISERROR or ISNA functions, IFERROR wraps your main formula and specifies what should happen when an error occurs.
Common IFERROR Examples
Basic IFERROR Example
=IFERROR(A2/B2, "Not available")Returns "Not available" instead of #DIV/0! when B2 is zero.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
Too few arguments
Cause: Missing the value_if_error parameter
Solution: Provide both required parameters
Notes
- IFERROR catches these error types: #N/A, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!, #NUM!, #NAME?, #NULL!
- Use IFNA instead if you only want to handle #N/A errors specifically
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365
Not available in: Excel 2003 and earlier versions
Content last reviewed: November 24, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+