If then statement help

[Kdhowery]

I'm trying to have excel look at a cell and if it is blank, then return a blank in the computation cell, but if there is data, then I want it to complete a calculation that I have created.

[AlKey]

Hi and welcome to the forum

your formula should look something like this:

=IF(A1="","","do this")

[Kdhowery]

Thanks for the reply.
Not sure how to make it give me the response, based on the two conditions.
If the cell is blank then I want a blank cell response.
If the cell has data, then I want it to compute the calculation based on the numberic data.

[AlKey]

=IF(A1="","" -- this part says that if cell is blank ("") return blank ("")

"do this" says do the calculation.

[Mazzaropi]

Kdhowery, Good Afternoon.

AlKey gave you the right answer.

But as you didn't mention what are your "the calculation based on the numeric data." he put "do this" as an alternative to blank cell.

Please mention what are yours calculation in order that we can complete your formula, to help you to finish your job.

IŽll wait for your data.

[Kdhowery]

OK
If there is not data in C16, then I want I16 to be blank.
If there IS data in C16, then I want the following calculation done for I16. I15+C16-F16

I keep getting error messages.

[AlKey]

This means that you have to write you formula in I16

=IF(C16="","",SUM(I15,C16)-F16)

[Didley]

This means that you have to write you formula in I16

=IF(C16="","",SUM(I15,C16)-F16)

Pay attention as you write "=if" in the formula bar. Excel will explain the arguments. The first is the condition to be met, so

=IF(C16="","",SUM(I15,C16)-F16)

Says:

If C16 = "" (The quotations with nothing between means the value in that cell is blank), THEN (the comma starts the then instruction)
, "" says then there should be nothing in THIS cell.

The next comma starts the "else" command. So if there is anything in C16, do this other command. Namely, Sum(I15,C16)-F16.

A lot of people don't realize what the commas are doing (separating instructions) so it's not exactly intuitive to read. I hope that helps and that I was clear.

[Kdhowery]

It worked! Thank you so much everyone!
I'm an excel user, not a formula writer, so this new task was daunting. You are all awesome!

[AlKey]

You're Welcome. Don't forget to thank those who helped by clicking on Add Reputation * and please mark thread as "Solved" if your issue has been resolved. (Selecting Thread Tools-> Mark thread as Solved).