In the September 2001 Tech Q&A column, we suggested a way in Excel to get rid of the dreaded #DIV/0 when you try to divide a number by 0. We suggested using the IF(). So, if you divide B2 by C2, the formula would look like this:
=IF(C2=0,“Please enter a divisor other than 0”,B2/C2)
This is what it would look like in Excel—with and without the IF formula:
Another way to solve the problem is to use the ISERROR function in an IF statement:
=IF(ISERROR(B2/C2),"",B2/C2)
The two quote marks with nothing between them will return a blank cell, which could be replaced with a 0 if you wish.
This solution has another advantage: It’s not likely to cause an error if that cell is summed in a formula.
(Submitted by Ryan R. Blazei, CPA, of Virchow, Krause & Co., LLP, Appleton, Wisconsin.)
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Clarification I try to test shortcuts in two Windows editions: Windows 2000 and XP. As you can imagine, it would be very difficult to test them in every edition, and it would be equally difficult to find out which editions are incompatible with a tip. I apologize for the inconvenience. |
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