Examples

The NA function returns the #N/A error: You can use the NA function in other formulas. For example, in the formula below, the IF function is configured to test if cell A1 is empty. If so, IF returns NA(), which returns the #N/A error. If A1 is not empty, IF returns A1*B1:  You can use the NA function to indicate missing information. In the worksheet shown above, cells C9 and C13 contain the NA function: This indicates that cost is not available. In cell D5, the formula copied down is: In cells D9 and D13, the formula returns #N/A because C9 and C13 contain errors. In cell D15 the SUMIF function is used to sum values in column D while ignoring the #N/A error: If the SUM function was used instead, it would return #N/A:

Notes

When other formulas refer to cells that contain #N/A, they also return #N/A. NA takes no arguments, but you must provide empty parentheses. You can also enter the value #N/A directly into a cell as text.

Dave Bruns

Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.