IFERROR and IFNA in Google Sheets - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

These functions help you handle errors in your formulas. IFERROR shows a custom message or value when a formula has an error. IFNA does the same but only for #N/A errors. This keeps your sheets neat and easy to understand.

When you want to show 'No data' instead of an error if a lookup fails

When dividing numbers and you want to avoid showing #DIV/0! errors

When you use formulas that might return #N/A and want to replace it with a friendly message

When you want to keep your report clean by hiding error messages

When you want to provide a default value if a formula result is an error

Steps

Step 1: Click

- a cell where you want the result

The cell is selected and ready for input

Step 2: Type

- the formula bar

You start entering your formula

💡 Start with =IFERROR( or =IFNA( depending on which error you want to catch)

Step 3: Enter

- the formula bar

The formula looks like =IFERROR(your_formula, "custom message") or =IFNA(your_formula, "custom message")

Step 4: Press

- Enter key

The cell shows the formula result or the custom message if there is an error

Step 5: Test

- by changing input values that cause errors

You see the custom message instead of error codes like #DIV/0! or #N/A

Before vs After

Before

Cell shows #DIV/0! error when dividing by zero

After

Cell shows 'No result' text instead of error when dividing by zero

Settings Reference

value_if_error

📍 inside IFERROR or IFNA formula as second argument

This is what shows when the formula has an error

Default: none (you must provide it)

formula_to_check

📍 inside IFERROR or IFNA formula as first argument

This is the formula that might cause an error

Default: none (you must provide it)

Common Mistakes

Using IFERROR when you only want to catch #N/A errors

IFERROR hides all errors, which might hide other problems

Use IFNA to catch only #N/A errors and let other errors show

Not providing the second argument (value_if_error) in IFERROR or IFNA

The formula will return an error, not a helpful message

Always provide a clear message or value to show when error occurs

Summary

IFERROR and IFNA help replace error messages with friendly text or values.

IFERROR catches all errors; IFNA catches only #N/A errors.

Always provide a second argument to show when an error happens.