FORMULA if cell is filled......do this!

"Why is there a '0' in the cell when copying data from one cell to another? How do I get it to remain empty? "

If Numbers is looking for a number value, it will interpret an empty cell as containing zero.

"The second I alter the decimals on the data format, it changes to numbers."

The decimals setting tells Numbers how many decimal places are to be included in a number value in that cell. The setting applies only to number values, so the data format for that cell changes to a numeric format.

Regards,

Barry

Hi Hayley,

If my reading of your description is correct, your formula in cell I2 will resemble this: IF(I1="","",formula)

Where formula is either a direct reference to the cell on the table from which the fabric details are to be retrieved, or an XLOOKUP formula to find and retrieve that data.

"I only want the fabric and composition to be filled in if another sample is required."

This suggests that if a "Sample 2" is required, it will always be the same fabric as Sample 1. If that is so,

the simplest formula in I2 would be IF(I1="","",F2)

(The "","" in the formula is " " , " " with no spaces between the five characters (two pairs of quotation marks, separated by a comma.

Regarding merged cells: Merged cells can introduce issues in spreadsheet tables. General recommendation is to avoid them where that is possible. In this case, you might find that leaving cells F, G and H as separate cells in rows 1 to 4, setting the text alignment to center in column G, and NOT setting text to wrap in those cells will present much the same view as seen in your screen shot.

Doing so would require putting the formula in J2, and setting the alignment and wrap rule in that column to match the settings recommended for column F.

Regards,

Barry

Hi Hayley,

What is the error message flagged by the error triangle in I2?

Assuming the formula in that cell is the one shown in the lower image, I suspect the messages is that your formula is generating a self-reference error. Formulas can't reference their own cell or a cell whose value depends on the content of their own cell.

The shorter formula shown n the upper image should be getting the data in cell B2 of the Table names Fabric. Where is this formula located, and what issues is it raising?

Regards,

Barry

"Here is a screen shot of the error message."

Hi Hayley,

Thanks for confirming. That is the error message I expected, as noted in my second Oct. 6 post.

Regards,

Barry