Keep formula, but have blank cell. Need help

**ebner20** · 03-21-2013, 03:19 PM

Hello, first time poster and I browsed around a little for my problem but couldn't get the solution to work. Not so handy with excel so decided to ask the experts.

My problem is this

I have a formula for an entire column J. Its calculating from whatever is inputted into column I. That formula is =(I:I-1)*0.85

My problem is that if I erase data previously entered into column J, column I displays -0.85. So I went and selected the cells and cleared it the entries. NOW it no longer calculates when I type numbers into column J unless I enter the formula again. Frustrating when I need to enter numbers daily and its an eye sore and easy to skip a row when its already filled in I

What I want is to have the cells in column I to always be blank until you enter something into column J.

I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure this out. All suggestions would be appreciated and I hope its not confusing

**ChemistB** · 03-21-2013, 03:22 PM

In Jx
=IF(ISNUMBER(Ix), =(I:I-1)*0.85, "")
Does that work for you?

**ebner20** · 03-21-2013, 03:26 PM

It says the formula you typed contains and error. I'm entering it into J

and here is a weird thing, it follows formula when i go down to the next cell, but if i skip a cell than the formula is no longer working. I need to skip to different rows too otherwise i would just let it ride

**ChemistB** · 03-21-2013, 03:58 PM

Exactly what are you inputting?
In J2 for example, you should have
=IF(ISNUMBER(I2), =(I2-1)*0.85, "")

when you copy that down, the "I2"s will increment.

**ebner20** · 03-21-2013, 04:11 PM

Here is what i'm working with

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I want to add data into actual and have the after tax column populate (where the formula comes into play) which it turn has the profit it column to populate.

the problem is when i skip a line in the actual column it no longer uses the formula or when I delete a prior entry it blanks out the formula. I can "drag" the formula down the column to work, but than it displays -.85 due to the formula picking up the actual column being blank (I think thats the reason)

**ChemistB** · 03-21-2013, 04:27 PM

Here is your workbook with the formulas I would use copied all the way down to row 36. Let me know if you have questions or a reason you would not use these formulas.

**ebner20** · 03-22-2013, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by ChemistB

Here is your workbook with the formulas I would use copied all the way down to row 36. Let me know if you have questions or a reason you would not use these formulas.

OMG, I love you.

You freaking genius!

Andrew