Using IF function to hide results under certain conditions

Question

I’m keeping a running ledger of transactions that has a balance column. I have a formula in the balance column that automatically returns the balance on the next line based on the value typed in the amount column to the immediate left. If I copy the formula in the balance column down several rows, it will repeat the last balance on every row where there is no new value in the amount column. How can I copy this formula down several rows such that it will not show a value unless there is an entry in the amount column?

Answer 1

Assuming your starting balance is in cell H4, the formula in H5 would be H4+G5. Below that the formula in H6 would be H5+G6, and so on. If you copy this formula down you will always see the last balance amount where there is a value in column G. In order to put the formula in column H but not see a value unless there is a value in column G, you need to use an IF function.

Replace the formula in H5 (H4+G5) with =IF(G5="","",H4+G5). This formula first looks at G5 to see if there is a value. If there is no value (represented by “”), then it will return nothing (also represented by “”). However, if there is a value in G5, it will execute the formula H4+G5. So, as long as G5 has nothing in it, nothing will appear in H5. You can now copy this formula down as far as you want and you won’t see anything unless there is something in column G.