How to Check if a Cell is Not Empty in Google Sheets

If you need to check whether one cell in Google Sheets is empty or not, you can do it manually. That’s probably the quickest way. However, dealing with multiple cells soon becomes a tedious and repetitive task that could also lead to missing some cells with minimal data or whitespace. Don’t worry, though. There’s a way to let Google Sheets figure it out for you.

Google Sheets uses the “ISBLANK” formula to check whether the cell is empty. This article explains what ISBLANK does and shows you how to use it. Let’s get started.

What Is ISBLANK?

If you use Excel with advanced features, you’re probably familiar with the “ISBLANK” function. There are minor differences between its use with Google Spreadsheets and Excel, but it gets used for the same thing.

ISBLANK is a function developed to determine if a value occupies a cell. The term “value” gets used to prevent any misunderstanding. Value can be anything from numbers, text, formulas, or even a formula error. If any of the above occupies a cell, “ISBLANK” shows you the “FALSE” sign.

Don’t let these terms confuse you. It’s as if you were asking Google Sheets: “Is this cell empty?” If the answer is negative, it’ll say “FALSE.” On the other hand, if the cell is empty, it’ll confirm it by showing the “TRUE” sign.

How to Check if a Cell is Empty in Google Sheets using ISBLANK

Using “ISBLANK” in Google Sheets may be slightly different than Excel, but the formula is simple and easy to use. Here’s how to do it.

1. Open your “Google spreadsheet.”
   
2. Click on any “empty cell.” Ensure it’s not in the cell range that you’re checking.
   
3. Insert the function “=ISBLANK” without quotes into the cell.
   
4. A dialog box appears, showing the function you entered. Click on it or press “Tab” to accept it and move on to the rest of the formula.
   
5. Now, tap on the desired cell or type it in manually, then press “Enter.” This action adds the cell to the formula.
   
6. Google Sheets finishes the formula and follows through with the action, which displays “TRUE” or “FALSE” in the cell.
   

If you want to check whether this function works, you can write something in A2 or delete its content. After that, try doing it again and see whether the output has changed. That said, there’s no real need to doubt this function. If you do everything correctly, it’ll be 100% accurate.

How to Check if Multiple Cells are Empty in Google Sheets using ISBLANK

The best thing about this function is that you can use it to check whether multiple cells are empty or not. There’s no limit to the number of cells you can check simultaneously. Just imagine how much time this option will save you! However, it only reports “TRUE” is all cells are blank.

1. Repeat the process outlined above to activate the ISBLANK function.
2. Then, instead of typing the name of a single cell, type the range of cells. If you want to check whether the cells from A1 to C10 are empty, you have to write this formula: A1:C10.

Remember that this option will give you a result for the whole range of cells. Even though all cells except one are empty, it doesn’t mean that the entire range is blank. Therefore, the result would be FALSE, even though one cell has data. For more accuracy, you’ll have to check cells one by one.

How to Check if a Cell is Empty in Google Sheets on Android and iOS

The best thing about Google Sheets is that you can do almost everything on your phone that you can do on a PC. However, you probably won’t be able to use ISBLANK on your mobile web browser. Therefore, you should download the Google Sheets app, which is available on iOS and Android devices. The process is similar to the one we already described.

The only downside of using this option on your phone is that you may not be able to see everything clearly, and it can be challenging to navigate and utilize. If you’re dealing with critical data, we suggest you always opt for a desktop version as it gives you more clarity and easier use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I get the False sign even though the cell appears empty?

This situation is one of the most common issues with the ISBLANK function. However, the main question you should ask yourself is: Is the cell genuinely empty, or does it just appear that way? Let us explain.

The cell may contain a simple white space you’ve accidentally entered. You can’t see it as there’s nothing visible, but it’s still there. Another possibility may be that hidden characters or hidden formulas occupy the cell.

If this bothers you, the quickest solution is to click on that cell and clear its content. After doing so, you’ll get the correct result.