The IS_EMPTY() function allows you to check whether a value is empty, regardless of its type.

It is used in a Formula-type column, often combined with IF() to:

• check the presence of data,

• avoid calculation errors,

• display a conditional message.

👉 IS_EMPTY() returns a boolean : true or false.

Display name

IS_EMPTY()

Syntax

IS_EMPTY(value)

Parameter

• value: field or expression to test.

Supported data types

IS_EMPTY() can be used on:

• text
• date
• number
• checkbox
• list
• link property / relation

This is the most generic function for checking empty values in TimeTonic.

Simple example

IS_EMPTY(order placed)

Expected result

Example:

1 → Source data: Order placed =

The Order placed = column contains a list of elements (e.g. selected services):

• Consulting TJM
• Meeting training TJM

This column is not empty: at least one value is present.

2 → Displayed result: is_empty ?

The is_empty ? column displays the result of the test as a boolean value.

• 1 = true → the tested value is empty
• 0 = false → the tested value is not empty

Here, the result indicates that the Order placed = column is not empty.

(Depending on the output format selected in the options, this result may also be displayed as a checked / unchecked box.)

3 → Formula used

IS_EMPTY(Order placed =)

The function checks the overall presence of data in the column, not the detailed content.

Checkbox display

To display the result as a checkbox:

1. Open the Options of the Formula column
2. Select the Boolean output format

Result explanation

The formula uses IS_EMPTY() to check whether the result of another formula (Σ test in()) is empty or not.

Reading the example

1 → Checked data

The Σ test in() column is a Formula-type column that returns a value (or a list of values).

This formula output is used as an input in IS_EMPTY().

2 → Displayed boolean result

The formula column test Σ operator is_empty ☑ boolean is configured with:

• a Boolean output format (checkbox). 
• ☑️ = true → the tested value is empty
• ⬜ = false → the tested value is not empty

Each row therefore reflects the “empty / not empty” state of the Σ test in() result.

3 → Formula used in the editor

IS_EMPTY(Σ test in())

• Σ test in() : value to check (result of another formula)
• IS_EMPTY() : checks whether this value is empty

The formula does not modify the data; it only performs a logical test.

Example with IF()

Very common use case: display a message when information is missing.

Example explanation

The goal is to display a readable status indicating whether an order exists or not, based on the Order placed = column.

1 → Source data: Order placed =

The Order placed = column contains a list of selected items (e.g. ordered services):

• Consulting TJM
• Meeting training TJM

The presence of at least one item means that the order is defined (the column is not empty).

2 → Displayed result: is_empty ?

The is_empty ? column displays a textual status (not a boolean):

• missing → no value in Order placed =
• defined → at least one value is present

In this example, the displayed status is defined, because the column contains values.

3 → Formula used

IF(
  IS_EMPTY(Order placed =),
  "missing",
  "defined"
)

• IS_EMPTY(Order placed =) : checks whether the column is empty
• "missing" : value displayed if the column is empty
• "defined" : value displayed if the column contains data

The formula converts a boolean test into a readable status.

Difference between EMPTY() and IS_EMPTY()

Simple rule to remember

IS_EMPTY() is more robust and can replace EMPTY() in most cases.