Applies ToExcel for Microsoft 365 Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac Excel for the web Excel 2024 Excel 2024 for Mac Excel 2021 Excel 2021 for Mac Excel 2019 Excel 2016

This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the ISFORMULA function in Microsoft Excel.

Description

Checks whether there is a reference to a cell that contains a formula, and returns TRUE or FALSE.

Syntax

ISFORMULA(reference)

The ISFORMULA function syntax has the following arguments.

  • Reference    Required. Reference is a reference to the cell you want to test. Reference can be a cell reference, a formula, or a name that refers to a cell.

Remarks

  • If reference is not a valid data type, such as a defined name that is not a reference, ISFORMULA returns the #VALUE! error value.

Example

Copy the example data in the following table, and paste it in cell A1 of a new Excel worksheet. For formulas to show results, select them, press F2, and then press Enter. If you need to, you can adjust the column widths to see all the data.

Formula

Description

Result

=TODAY()

Returns TRUE because =TODAY() is a formula.

TRUE

7

Returns FALSE because 7 is a number, not a formula.

FALSE

Hello, world!

Returns FALSE because "Hello, world!" is text, not a formula.

FALSE

=3/0

Returns TRUE because, although dividing by 0 results in an error, the cell does contain a formula.

TRUE

Top of Page

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.