Not picking up blank cells when using drop down list

Hello,

I've already had some tremendous support on this already, so thank you.

I've recently used a drop down list which copies through pupils grades from a 'master' sheet. When using the drop down list, blank cells are stopping other cells from calculating 'sub levels away/progress'. This is calculated using a grade table which gives grades a score, e.g. 5C = 25, 4A = 24, 4B = 23, 4C = 22 and so on. The higher the number the better the 'grade', with a being top, b middle, c low within that number.

Column P should measure progress, as shown in the table which 'works' on the right as the cells are not blank.
However, P3 should = 0, P4=-1, P5=1, P6= -1, P7=1, P8=0, P9=1

Column R should measure how far pupil is away from target, using the most recent score, so, Column L has the most 'recent' score meaning it should work out the difference between Column L and Column Q.
R3= 2, R4=3, R5= 3, R6= 3, R7=1, R8=2, R9=1

Column U works the same way as R, but in relation to Column T.

I would appreciate any help on the above.
Many thanks

im not sure about your answers but is the problem
$L3:$O3<>"" the lookup returns values of 0 in columns M-O although they are formatted to blank

so it needs amending to

$L3:$O3<>0

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Excellent help once again.

This appears to have solved my problem.
Many thanks!!!