default cell value

[Linda]

I'm trying to develop a timesheet form and am having
trouble with a "comp time" section. It seems to be a
simple problem but I can't find an answer. I've got a
function =IF(K3>0,SUM(K3+K4)-K5,IF(K4>0,SUM(K3+K4)-K5,IF
(K5>0,SUM(K3+K4)-K5,0))) but if k3, k4 or k5 doesn't have
a "0" then I get #VALUE! I'd like to have "0" (zero) in
each of these as a default value since this section won't
always be used by everyone. How can I have "0" or "---"
show by default and not have #VALUE! show if somebody
deletes the "0"? Thanks for any help!!

 

[Linda]

OK, I understand now about the redundancy and the "+"
operator --- does this hold true for the "-" operator too?
The formula you stated works fine unless there's no value
in K5 -- so how can you leave a blank space in that cell
and still have the formula calculate as if there were
a "0" in that cell (and not get #VALUE)?
Thanks!!

 

[J.E. McGimpsey]

SUM will ignore a *blank* in K5, but not a space character. In
general, you shouldn't use spaces as blanks - just delete the
contents instead.

 

[Linda]

Well, that's what I kinda figured -- the only thing is I'm
not going to be the one completing the form -- other
employees will -- so back to my original question, is
there some way to have a default "0" go back into those
cells (k3, k4, k5) if the contents have been 'spaced out'?
I'm not trying to be difficult :-S I'm just trying to
think about other options. Thanks again!