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ISREF function in Excel

Returns TRUE if the value is a reference

=ISREF(value)

ISREF syntax and parameters

One argument, one required.

  • valueanyRequired

    The value that you want tested. The value argument can be a blank (empty cell), error, logical value, text, number, or reference value, or a name referring to any of these.

ISREF examples

Formulas you'll actually reuse.

  1. Does a sheet or range named in text actually exist?

    =ISREF(INDIRECT("Budget!A1"))

    ResultTRUE

  2. Validate a sheet name typed in A2 before building references on it:

    =IF(ISREF(INDIRECT(A2 & "!A1")), "sheet found", "missing sheet")

    Result"sheet found"

ISREF in Google Sheets

Same name — your formula ports as-is.

Try ISREF in the playground

Edit the example — nothing to install.

Preloaded with the ISREF formula from Example 1 — change anything and watch it respond.

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Related functions

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