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Information function

ISREF

Returns TRUE if a value is a reference.

Rarely usedDifficulty 1150 · ProficientUsage rank #254 of 520
Practice · 2 questions →

When to use it

TRUE when the argument is a valid reference. Mostly used to test whether an INDIRECT target exists.

The shape of it

Syntax
=ISREF(value)

Worked examples

  • A reference

    =ISREF(A1) → TRUE

    A plain reference.

  • Text

    =ISREF("A1") → FALSE

    Text, not a reference.

  • Does a sheet exist

    =ISREF(INDIRECT("Sheet9!A1")) → FALSE

    No sheet named Sheet9, so the reference is invalid.

Worth knowing

  • Sheet-exists check: ISREF(INDIRECT("'"&name&"'!A1")).
  • A deleted reference (#REF!) returns FALSE.
  • Named ranges count as references.

Where it goes wrong

  • Rarely needed outside dynamic-reference tricks.
  • Does not test whether the cell has content.

Related

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