IFERROR Formula Generator
Describe the formula you want to error-proof in plain English and get a ready-to-use IFERROR or IFNA formula for Excel or Google Sheets.
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IFERROR and IFNA syntax
=IFERROR(value, value_if_error)
=IFNA(value, value_if_na)value is the formula you want to protect, and value_if_error (or value_if_na) is what shows instead of an error. Use IFERROR to catch any error type, or IFNA when you only want to handle a missing lookup match and let other errors surface. Formulon wraps your existing formula, or builds the underlying one from scratch, whichever you need.
Examples
Show a friendly message instead of a lookup error
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2,Prices!A:B,2,FALSE),"Not found")If the VLOOKUP fails for any reason (most commonly the value isn't in the price list), returns "Not found" instead of showing #N/A.
Catch only #N/A, not other errors
=IFNA(MATCH(A2,B:B,0),"Not in list")Returns "Not in list" only when MATCH specifically produces #N/A (value not found) — any other error type would still show, so a genuine formula mistake isn't silently hidden.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between IFERROR and IFNA?
IFERROR catches every error type (#N/A, #VALUE!, #REF!, #DIV/0!, and more). IFNA catches only #N/A specifically — useful when you want lookup "not found" errors handled gracefully but still want to see other errors, which usually mean something is actually broken.
Does IFERROR hide genuine bugs in my formula?
It can — that's the main risk. Wrapping a formula in IFERROR replaces any error with your fallback value, including errors caused by a typo or broken reference, not just the "expected" ones like a missing lookup match. Use IFNA instead when you only want to handle #N/A.
Is IFERROR the same in Google Sheets?
Yes, both IFERROR and IFNA have identical syntax and behavior in Excel and Google Sheets.
Can I wrap IFERROR around VLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH?
Yes — this is one of the most common uses. Wrap the whole lookup formula as the first argument: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(...),"Not found") shows your fallback text instead of a #N/A error when the lookup value doesn't exist.
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