'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Prevent Excel from Showing a Date When a Cell Is Blank
Question details
The user wants to stop their spreadsheet from returning an unintended default date when the source cell referenced in a DATE formula is empty.
- Product
- Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Calculating an anniversary date or generating a date based on a source cell, where missing input data causes the formula to output an incorrect default date.
- Observed behavior
- When the source cell is blank, the DATE formula evaluates it as a zero, resulting in a default date (such as 1/0/1900) instead of leaving the destination cell blank.
Identify the exact source cell your DATE formula references so you can add a logical condition to check if it is empty before the calculation runs.
Use an IF Function to Return an Empty String
Wrap your existing DATE formula inside an IF function to check if the source cell is blank, preventing it from evaluating as zero.
By default, spreadsheet applications treat an empty cell as a zero in numeric calculations. When a DATE formula evaluates zero, it translates to the system's default starting date.
Using the IF function allows you to test whether the cell is blank. If it is, you can instruct the cell to display an empty string (""); otherwise, it will execute your normal DATE calculation.
Click on the cell where you want the calculated anniversary or output date to appear.
Type the formula: =IF(C13="","",DATE(YEAR(TODAY()),MONTH(C13),DAY(C13))). Replace 'C13' with your actual source cell reference.
Press Enter. If the source cell is blank, the target cell will now remain perfectly blank.
If you have a list of dates, click and drag the fill handle at the bottom-right corner of the cell to copy the formula down your column.
Easily Manage Complex Formulas in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Office provides robust and intuitive support for all standard spreadsheet functions, including IF, DATE, and ISBLANK, making it effortless to build error-free data sheets.
- 1. Open your workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the file containing your date calculations.
- 2. Select the destination cell: Click the cell where you need the conditional date output.
- 3. Input the conditional formula: Type your combined formula (e.g., =IF(A1="","",DATE(YEAR(TODAY()),MONTH(A1),DAY(A1)))) into the formula bar.
- 4. Apply across rows: Press Enter, then drag the fill handle down to effortlessly apply this blank-check logic to your entire dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my spreadsheet show 1/0/1900 when a date cell is blank?
When calculating formulas, empty cells are treated as a mathematical zero. In the standard date system used by most spreadsheet software, the numerical value '0' translates to the starting date of January 0, 1900.
Can I use the ISBLANK function instead of quotation marks?
Yes, you can use the ISBLANK function for better readability. The formula would look like this: =IF(ISBLANK(C13), "", DATE(YEAR(TODAY()),MONTH(C13),DAY(C13))). Both methods achieve the exact same result.
How do I hide all zero values in the entire worksheet?
If you want a global setting, you can go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll to 'Display options for this worksheet', and uncheck 'Show a zero in cells that have zero value'. However, using the IF formula is usually better as it doesn't accidentally hide intentional zeros elsewhere in your data.
