Summiing every other row with blank cells

[granmart]

Hi - I'm trying to add every other cell in a column. I've used code like this before to add every other row:

{=SUM(B2:B6*(MOD(ROW(B2:B6),2)=1))}

However, the cells in column B that I'm adding have a formula that will set the cell value to the empty string:

=IF(A2="","",A2+1)

If one of the cells being added is empty, I get the error: #VALUE!.

I thought empty cells would be interpreted as zeros. I've looked around online, but not found a solution. Attached is a sample of the problem. Does anyone have any ideas? BTW, this is a simplification of the formula--I'm not just adding 1 to the value in column A in my real spreadsheet--but this shows the problem.

[newdoverman]

An easy way using simple formulae is to use a helper column (column C) and enter this formula in c2 and fill down

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To get the sum of every second row starting with the first row enter this where you want the answer

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Another way is to modify your formula in column B to be the following and use Conditional Formatting to hide the zero value(s)

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Conditional Formatting rule. Select B2:B6 then go to Conditional Formatting,New,Use Formula enter the following formula and then format the font as white.

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[FlameRetired]

Another way, modifying your formula in C8 and array entering it would be

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If you aren’t familiar with array-entered formulas array enter means the formula must be committed from edit mode by simultaneously pressing and holding down Ctrl and Shift while hitting Enter.

[granmart]

Thanks for the responses! FlameRetired's looks like it will work for me.

[FlameRetired]

Thank you for the feedback.

[newdoverman]

If you are summing B2, B4, B6 the formula given by FlameRetired would have to be slightly modified to the following otherwise you are summing B3 and B5. Again enter with Ctrl+Shift+Enter

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[granmart]

Thanks newdoverman

[newdoverman]

Thanks for the feedback.

If that takes care of your original question, please select Thread Tools from the menu link above and mark this thread as SOLVED. Thanks.