ISERROR Function (Gnumeric)

Use ISERROR to detect any spreadsheet error value, including #N/A. For example, =ISERROR(1/0) is expected to be TRUE, while =ISERROR(10/2) is expected to be FALSE.

=ISERROR(value)

value (required) is the expression, error value, or cell reference to inspect. Gnumeric’s official Information manual uses one required value and states that any error value qualifies.

Supported reference scope: The official Gnumeric 1.12 Information function manual lists ISERROR. The Gnumeric 1.12.62 announcement identifies the current release in the 1.12 series, and the release-matched Gnumeric 1.12.62 registry audit records this as a standard Information function (implementation: Complete; internal automated coverage: Basic). These inventory fields are not proof of execution in a specific installed build. Introduction in a particular earlier minor release was not determined.

Formula entry and locale: Examples use the English-language formula spelling and = prefix. The Gnumeric formula manual shows comma-separated arguments; ISERROR itself takes only one argument. The application can obtain locale settings from the operating system, so verify data formats and separators on your installation before copying complex formulas across locales. Changing locale does not change the type rules described by the official function documentation.

1. Open a fresh Gnumeric worksheet. Type the values/formulas in column B exactly as shown; a blank instruction means leave the cell completely unused.
2. Put the corresponding =... expression in column C of the same row (or put C2 in place and fill down with relative cell references).
3. Compare the displayed result to the expected result; record the application version and observed value separately before treating the example as tested.

On a narrow screen, scroll this table sideways to see every column.

Why these answers are expected: The official manual defines ISERROR as testing any error value; NA() produces #N/A and 1/0 produces a division error. A warning-looking text label such as Review is a normal string, not an error value.

Mark formula failures without concealing ordinary results

Suppose B2 contains =10/2, B3 contains =1/0, and B4 contains =NA(). Put this in D2, then fill down:

=IF(ISERROR(B2),"Fix calculation",B2)

Expected results: D2 = 5, D3 = Fix calculation, D4 = Fix calculation. This presents an explicit audit flag, but it does not repair the underlying formula. Inspect B3 and B4 before accepting financial or operational results.

Distinguish #N/A from other errors

=ISERR(B4)
=ISNA(B4)

Expected results for B4==NA(): FALSE from ISERR and TRUE from ISNA, because the official Gnumeric manual specifically excludes #N/A from ISERR and includes it in ISNA.

• Result shows FALSE for text such as "#N/A": that is an ordinary string, not the error value created by =NA().
• #N/A returns TRUE: documented; ISERROR includes all errors. Use ISERR only when you deliberately want to exclude #N/A.
• A cell displays #DIV/0!: first check denominators and input ranges; wrapping the result in ISERROR detects but does not fix the cause.
• No error but formula still returns an unexpected number: ISERROR tests error type, not numerical correctness. Validate calculations separately.
• Unknown result in another app: confirm target version, spelling and localization. This batch did not execute Gnumeric.

Scope limit: This page is a documentation-based guide, not evidence that the examples were executed in Gnumeric, nor a guarantee of identical behaviour in every older version, locale, optional plugin configuration, or imported XLSX file.

The Gnumeric Information manual identifies ISERROR as Microsoft Excel compatible. LibreOffice Calc and Excel document an ISERROR test including #N/A, alongside ISERR for all errors except #N/A. Function availability is not a substitute for testing exact imported workbook errors on your own installation.

• Gnumeric 1.12 Information reference — function-specific synopsis and official Excel compatibility label.
• LibreOffice Calc information functions — independent official compatibility background, not a native Gnumeric test.
• Microsoft Excel IS functions — official description of the matching Excel family.

• ISERR
• ISNA
• NA
• IFERROR
• IF
• ISBLANK

• Official Gnumeric syntax and behavior: Gnumeric 1.12 — Information functions. Access checked 2026-10-11; see the ISERROR section.
• Official release/version: September 2026, Gnumeric 1.12.62 release notice. Access checked 2026-10-11.
• Official formula conventions: The Types of Cell Elements and Languages and Locales, accessed 2026-10-11.
• Cross-program context only: LibreOffice Calc information functions and Microsoft Excel IS functions, accessed 2026-10-11.

The syntax and behaviour are based on the Gnumeric references cited above. The sample calculations were independently checked; they are expected results, not outputs observed in Gnumeric. Test locale-sensitive text conversion and imported files in your own installation. View the example-check record.

Official ISERROR reference · Editorial standards