In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the ISURL formula in Google Sheets. The ISURL formula is a useful tool for determining if a given value is a valid URL or not. By the end of this article, you will have a thorough understanding of the ISURL formula, its syntax, examples, tips and tricks, common mistakes, and related formulae. So, let’s dive in and learn everything there is to know about the ISURL formula in Google Sheets.
ISURL Syntax
The ISURL formula in Google Sheets has a simple syntax, which makes it easy to use even for beginners. The syntax for the ISURL formula is as follows:
ISURL(value)
Here, the ‘value’ parameter represents the value you want to test for being a valid URL. The formula will return TRUE if the value is a valid URL and FALSE if it is not.
ISURL Examples
Now that we understand the syntax of the ISURL formula, let’s look at some examples to see how it works in practice.
Example 1: Basic usage of the ISURL formula
Suppose you want to check if the text “https://www.example.com” is a valid URL or not. You can use the ISURL formula as follows:
=ISURL(“https://www.example.com”)
This formula will return TRUE, as the text is a valid URL.
Example 2: Using the ISURL formula with cell references
You can also use cell references as the value parameter in the ISURL formula. For example, if cell A1 contains the text “https://www.example.com”, you can use the following formula to check if the value in A1 is a valid URL:
=ISURL(A1)
This formula will also return TRUE, as the value in cell A1 is a valid URL.
ISURL Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the ISURL formula in Google Sheets:
Tip 1: Combine ISURL with other functions
You can combine the ISURL formula with other functions in Google Sheets to perform more complex tasks. For example, you can use the IF function along with ISURL to display a custom message based on whether a value is a valid URL or not:
=IF(ISURL(A1), “Valid URL”, “Invalid URL”)
This formula will display “Valid URL” if the value in cell A1 is a valid URL and “Invalid URL” if it is not.
Tip 2: Use ISURL to filter valid URLs in a list
If you have a list of values and you want to filter out only the valid URLs, you can use the ISURL formula in combination with the FILTER function:
=FILTER(A1:A10, ISURL(A1:A10))
This formula will return a list of valid URLs from the range A1:A10.
Common Mistakes When Using ISURL
Here are some common mistakes that users make when using the ISURL formula in Google Sheets:
Mistake 1: Not using quotation marks for text values
When using the ISURL formula with a text value, make sure to enclose the text in quotation marks. For example, the following formula will return an error:
=ISURL(https://www.example.com)
Instead, use quotation marks around the text value:
=ISURL(“https://www.example.com”)
Mistake 2: Using incorrect URL formats
The ISURL formula will only return TRUE for valid URLs. Make sure the value you are testing follows the correct URL format, including the protocol (e.g., “http://” or “https://”). For example, the following formula will return FALSE:
=ISURL(“www.example.com”)
To get a TRUE result, include the protocol in the URL:
=ISURL(“https://www.example.com”)
Why Isn’t My ISURL Working?
If your ISURL formula isn’t working as expected, here are some possible reasons and solutions:
Reason 1: Incorrect syntax
Make sure you are using the correct syntax for the ISURL formula. Double-check that you have included the value parameter and enclosed text values in quotation marks.
Reason 2: Invalid URL format
Ensure that the value you are testing follows the correct URL format, including the protocol (e.g., “http://” or “https://”). The ISURL formula will return FALSE for values that do not follow the correct URL format.
ISURL: Related Formulae
Here are some related formulae that you might find useful when working with the ISURL formula in Google Sheets:
1. ISTEXT: This formula checks if a value is text and returns TRUE if it is, and FALSE otherwise.
=ISTEXT(value)
2. ISNUMBER: This formula checks if a value is a number and returns TRUE if it is, and FALSE otherwise.
=ISNUMBER(value)
3. ISBLANK: This formula checks if a cell is empty and returns TRUE if it is, and FALSE otherwise.
=ISBLANK(cell)
4. ISDATE: This formula checks if a value is a valid date and returns TRUE if it is, and FALSE otherwise.
=ISDATE(value)
5. ISEMAIL: This formula checks if a value is a valid email address and returns TRUE if it is, and FALSE otherwise.
=ISEMAIL(value)
Now you have a comprehensive understanding of the ISURL formula in Google Sheets, including its syntax, examples, tips and tricks, common mistakes, and related formulae. With this knowledge, you can confidently use the ISURL formula to determine if a given value is a valid URL or not in your spreadsheets.
