where “list” is the named range B6:B11. where “list” is a named range that corresponds to the range B6:B11. The IF function requires a logical test to return TRUE or FALSE. In this case, the COUNTIF function performs the logical test. If the value is found in list, COUNTIF returns a number directly to the IF function. This result could be any number… 1, 2, 3, etc. The IF function will evaluate any number as TRUE, causing IF to return “OK”. If the value is not found in list, COUNTIF returns zero (0), which evaluates as FALSE, and IF returns “Missing”.
Alternative with MATCH
You can also test for missing values using the MATCH function. MATCH finds the position of an item in a list and will return the #N/A error when a value is not found. You can use this behavior to build a formula that returns “Missing” or “OK” by testing the result of MATCH with the ISNA function. ISNA returns TRUE only when it receives the #N/A error. To use MATCH as shown in the example above, the formula is:
Note that MATCH must be configured for exact match. To do this, make sure the third argument is zero or FALSE.
Alternative with VLOOKUP
Since VLOOKUP also returns an #N/A error when a value isn’t round, you can build a formula with VLOOKUP that works the same as the MATCH option. As with MATCH, you must configure VLOOKUP to use exact match, then test the result with ISNA. Also note that we only give VLOOKUP a single column (column B) for the table array.
Dave Bruns
Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.
