Page 87 - Excel Data Analysis

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CREATING FORMULAS 4

Formula errors can occur with any formula TYPE THIS:
you create. If you create a worksheet where
other users input data for analysis, you may
=IF (ISERROR(A1/A2), "0", A1/A2)
want to eliminate the display of error
messages in the cells on the worksheets. By
doing this, the errors still occur, but instead of
displaying the error message, you can specify RESULT:
the value that displays in the cell. For example,
you may want the cell to have a value of zero With this formula, if the value that the ISERROR
if there is an error. To control the display of function returns is TRUE, a value of zero displays
the error messages, you modify each formula in the formula cell; otherwise, the value of
using the combination of the IF function, dividing A1 by A2 displays in the cell. See
which allows you to check for a condition, and Appendix B for more information on using the IF
the ISERROR function, which allows you to and ISERROR functions.
see if a cell contains an error. For example, to
return a value of 0 if there is an error, with the
formula A1/A2:

■ Excel color-codes each Note: See the section "Edit ■ Excel removes the arrows
cell in the formula. Formulas" for more information. and displays the value of the
formula, if an error no longer
› Make the appropriate exists in the formula.
modifications to correct the
formula error.

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