Functions Utility

Null

When a cell in Excel has not been populated, it contains no value. The Null() function returns an array with one element representing a missing value. Null() is therefore used by SubstituteArray() to populate empty cells with a specified value. In other words, Null() allows SubstituteArray() to recognise unpopulated cells in Excel.

Syntax


Null ()

Example. Recognising and replacing empty cells


The SubstituteArray() function is first used to replace any empty cells with the word ‘Weekend’. This function looks for empty strings (“”). Because the blank cells contain no values (are not empty strings), the function does not work. The second SubstituteArray() function looks for null values when making replacements. This function works because Null() allows it to recognise the blank cells.

AGL Close Price Close Price – substitute “” Close Price – substitute Null values Replacement Value
01 April 2015 25604 =SubstituteArray(B2:B9,E2,””) =SubstituteArray(B2:B9,E2,Null()) Weekend
02 April 2015 24970
03 April 2015 25369
04 April 2015
05 April 2015
06 April 2015 24684
07 April 2015 25402
08 April 2015 25639
AGL Close Price Incorrect output Correct output Replacement Value
01 April 2015 25604 25604 25604 Weekend
02 April 2015 24970 24970 24970
03 April 2015 25369 25369 25369
04 April 2015 Weekend
05 April 2015 Weekend
06 April 2015 24684 24684 24684
07 April 2015 25402 25402 25402
08 April 2015 25639 25639 25639

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