Description
The Microsoft Excel ISEMPTY function can be used to check for blank cells or uninitialized variables.
Syntax
The syntax for the ISEMPTY function in Microsoft Excel is:
IsEmpty( value )
Parameters or Arguments
- value
- The value that you want to test. If value is a blank cell or uninitialized variable, this function will return TRUE. Otherwise, the function will return FALSE.
Note
- See also the ISBLANK function (worksheet function).
Applies To
- Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2011 for Mac, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000
Type of Function
- VBA function (VBA)
Example (as VBA Function)
The ISEMPTY function can only be used in VBA code in Microsoft Excel. We can use the ISEMPTY function to test a worksheet cell or a variable. Let's look at both of these cases.
With a Worksheet Cell
If you wish to test whether a worksheet cell is empty in VBA, you can not use the worksheet function called ISBLANK. In VBA, you must use the ISEMPTY function.
Here is an example of how to test whether a worksheet cell is empty using the ISEMPTY function:
Sub TestCellA1()
'Test if the value is cell A1 is blank/empty
If IsEmpty(Range("A1").Value) = True Then
MsgBox "Cell A1 is empty"
End If
End Sub
In this example, we will test whether cell A1 is empty. If cell A1 is empty, the message "Cell A1 is empty" will be displayed.
With a Variable
The ISEMPTY function can also be used to test whether a variable has been initialized. If the variable has not been initialized, the ISEMPTY function will return true. Otherwise, the function it will return false.
Variable is Uninitialized
Let's first look at an example of when a variable has not been initialized:
Sub TestVariable()
Dim LResult
'Test if the variable has been initialized
If IsEmpty(LResult) = True Then
MsgBox "Variable has not been initialized."
End If
End Sub
In this example, the variable called LResult has been declared, but has not been initialized with a value. As a result, the ISEMPTY function will return true and display the message "Variable has not been initialized."
Variable is Initialized
Now, we will modify the example above and initialize the LResult variable before calling the ISEMPTY function.
Sub TestVariable()
Dim LResult
'Initialize the variable called LResult
LResult = "TechOnTheNet.com is a great resource!"
'Test if the variable has been initialized
If IsEmpty(LResult) = True Then
MsgBox "Variable has not been initialized."
End If
End Sub
Since the LResult variable has now been initialized to the value "TechOnTheNet.com is a great resource!", the ISEMPTY function will return false and the message box will not be displayed.
