Formula Question

[stevehat]

I have a formula (geared towards adding up my project hours) that
reads, =A2-A1*24. This works fine. However, in addition, I need it
to also say if the result is zero then it should have a null value.
Is this possible?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

One way:

=IF(A2=A1,"",A2-A1*24)

 

[joeu2004]

I have a formula (geared towards adding up my project hours) that
reads, =A2-A1*24. This works fine. However, in addition, I need it
to also say if the result is zero then it should have a null value.
Is this possible?

=if(A2 - A1*24 = 0, "", A2 - A1*24)

Unfortunately, I don't know any way to avoid computing the formula
twice, unless you are willing to use a helper cell, which you could
hide.

 

[joeu2004]

=if(A2 - A1*24 = 0, "", A2 - A1*24)
Unfortunately, I don't know any way to avoid computing the formula
twice

Well, I am assured that you can leave the formula as you had it and
simply set up a custom formula. But I have not yet figured the
correct syntax :-(.

However, if you null values for zeros for the entire spreadsheet, you
could uncheck Tools -> Options -> View -> Zero Values.

 

[joeu2004]

Well, I am assured that you can leave the formula as you had it and
simply set up a custom formula. But I have not yet figured the
correct syntax :-(.

The Help documentation for custom formats leaves a lot to be desired.
But the following might suffice, if you currently use the General
format:

general;-general;

However, if you null values for zeros for the entire spreadsheet, you
could uncheck Tools -> Options -> View -> Zero Values.

But I usually avoid "format" options that affect the entire
spreadsheet.