---
schema_version: "1"
id: ad6c974d69b4e760ec82c8ab0a9227d7124adc7bf6e8d726efb50b6b42002568
title: ISBLANK
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/customize_functions_isblank.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions_isblank.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 6294518e52c88177b5bfba68405a8be1d307fa2f062bf0778319965bb54b33e4
description: Determines if an expression has a value and returns TRUE if it does not. If it contains a value, this function returns FALSE.
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Security
release: "264"
---
# ISBLANK

Determines if an expression has a value and returns TRUE if it does not. If it contains a value, this function returns FALSE.

## Use

`ISBLANK(expression)` and replace expression with the expression you want evaluated.

## Tips

- Use ISBLANK instead of ISNULL in new formulas. ISBLANK has the same functionality as ISNULL, but also supports text fields. Salesforce continues to support ISNULL, so you do not need to change any existing formulas.
- A field is not empty if it contains a character, blank space, or zero. For example, a field that contains a space inserted with the spacebar is not empty.
- Use the [BLANKVALUE](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions_blankvalue.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Determines if an expression has a value and returns a substitute expression if it doesn’t. If the expression has a value, returns the value of the expression.") function to return a specified string if the field doesn't have a value; use the ISBLANK function if you only want to check if the field has a value.
- If you use this function with a numeric field, the function only returns TRUE if the field has no value and is not configured to treat blank fields as zeroes.
- If you use this function with a picklist, use ISBLANK(TEXT(<picklist>)) to convert the picklist items into a text value.

![Formula Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-extend_click-264-0-0-production-enus/5f7d9219-b7b1-4552-8891-f1aba9b289fc/images/icon_example.png)

Formula Example

```
(IF(ISBLANK(Maint_Amount__c), 0, 1) + ​
 IF(ISBLANK(Services_Amount__c), 0,1) + ​
  IF(ISBLANK(Discount_Percent__c), 0, 1) + ​
   IF(ISBLANK(Amount), 0, 1) +​
    IF(ISBLANK(Timeline__c), 0, 1)) / 5
```

This formula takes a group of fields and calculates what percent of them are being used by your personnel. This formula field checks five fields to see if they are blank. If so, a zero is counted for that field. A “1” is counted for any field that contains a value, and this total is divided by five (the number of fields evaluated). This formula requires you to select the **Treat blank fields as blanks** option under Blank Field Handling while the Advanced Formula subtab is showing.