Date isn't today <> ""

Amy Evans2

Hello,

The below formula was suggested by the community experts, but I had a follow-up questions:

 =IF([Target Start Date]@row <> "", IF([Target Start Date]@row <= TODAY(365), "Advanced", "Experts Only"))

What is the purpose of the first part of the formula where it says, "IF([Target Start Date]@row <> "". Why do we need to check if theTarget Start Date isn't today?

Thanks,

AE

SoS | Dan Palenchar

That part of the formula checks to see if the Target Start Date is not blank. '<>' is formula speak for 'does not equal' and the two apostrophes "" mean blank. So the formula first checks to see if that field is blank, if it is not blank than it moves on to determine if it is Advanced or Experts Only. Without that part of the formula, you would get values for blank cells.

Try popping in the formula without that part and you can see for yourself

=IF([Target Start Date]@row <= TODAY(365), "Advanced", "Experts Only")

Paul Newcome

The reason for checking if it is not blank is because a blank cell is considered to be less than today's date. That means blank cells would generate an output of "Advanced". So by saying to only run if the [Target Start Date] isn't blank, we avoid this.

SoS | Dan Palenchar

That part of the formula checks to see if the Target Start Date is not blank. '<>' is formula speak for 'does not equal' and the two apostrophes "" mean blank. So the formula first checks to see if that field is blank, if it is not blank than it moves on to determine if it is Advanced or Experts Only. Without that part of the formula, you would get values for blank cells.

Try popping in the formula without that part and you can see for yourself

=IF([Target Start Date]@row <= TODAY(365), "Advanced", "Experts Only")

Paul Newcome

The reason for checking if it is not blank is because a blank cell is considered to be less than today's date. That means blank cells would generate an output of "Advanced". So by saying to only run if the [Target Start Date] isn't blank, we avoid this.

Amy Evans2

Thank you Dan and Paul!

Amy

Paul Newcome

Happy to help! 👍️