IF OR statement returning #VALUE! error?

**Sonny Crockett** · 05-13-2013, 02:20 PM

This seems like it would be pretty simple, but once again I'm here asking for guidance...

I have two columns: A, and B

Column A has a vlookup formula that pulls in either a number (usually between -0.008 to 0.008), or text (the text being "ERROR.")

In column B, I'm trying to add a formula that will say "HELP" if the result in column A is greater than or equal to 0.004, or if the result in A is "ERROR." If neither is satisfied, it will just result in a blank cell.

This is what I have, and it's returning a #VALUE! error:

=IF(OR(ABS(A1)>=0.004,A1="ERROR"),"HELP","-")

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

**daddylonglegs** · 05-13-2013, 02:24 PM

The problem is that when you apply ABS function to a text value like "ERROR"....you get an error. One solution is to use two IFs and check for "ERROR" first, e.g.

=IF(A1="ERROR","HELP",IF(ABS(A1)>=0.004,"HELP","-"))