How to use ISFORMULA function in Excel?

The ISFORMULA function in Excel is used to check whether a given cell contains a formula. It returns TRUE if the specified cell contains a formula, and FALSE otherwise. You can use this function to quickly identify cells in a range that have formulas.

Here’s how to use the ISFORMULA function:

   ISFORMULA(reference)
  • Basic Syntax:
    • reference: The cell or reference you want to check for a formula.
  • Example Usage:

Suppose you want to check if cell B2 contains a formula.

     =ISFORMULA(B2)
  • Practical Application:

You can use the ISFORMULA function in combination with other functions to perform more complex analyses. For instance, if you have a range of cells (e.g., A1:A10), and you want to count how many cells within this range contain formulas:

   =SUMPRODUCT(--ISFORMULA(A1:A10))

This formula uses `SUMPRODUCT` in conjunction with the `ISFORMULA` function, converting the logical TRUE/FALSE to 1/0 with the double unary operator (`–`), and then summing up the values.

  • Considerations:
    • ISFORMULA is available in Excel 2013 and later versions, so ensure your Excel version supports this function.
    • The function only checks if a formula is present; it doesn’t evaluate the formula or its correctness.

By using ISFORMULA, you can efficiently identify and work with cells that contain formulas, which is particularly useful for auditing or managing large spreadsheets.

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