Have Excel formulas that return 0, make the result blank

Question

A recurring Excel problem I have is formulas such as INDEX(array,row,column) that return 0 when there\'s no result, rather than returning blank.

What is

Answer 1

Use conditional formatting (Home tab, styles section) and apply highlight cells rule (putting 0 in the Format cells that are equal to box) but select custom format then the Number tab. Select Category custom and in the type box put:

0;-0;;@

Sounds complicated but is actually simple.

This gives the advantage that the cell looks empty but 0 is still the underlying value, so any formulas you use against that cell/selection will still see it as being numeric and saves on lots of messing around with chained IF statements.