IS_EMPTY() : test whether a field is empty

The IS_EMPTY() function checks whether a value is empty, regardless of its type. It returns a boolean: true or false. It is used in a Formula-type column, often combined with IF(), to check the presence of data, avoid calculation errors, or display a conditional message.

Syntax

IS_EMPTY(value)

Parameters

# Parameter Description

1 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.

Examples

Simple example

IS_EMPTY(order placed)

Field value	Result
Empty	true
Filled	false

Testing a list-type column

The Order placed = column contains a list of elements (Consulting TJM, Meeting training TJM): it is therefore not empty.

IS_EMPTY(Order placed =)

→ The is_empty ? column displays 0 (false): the tested value is not empty. Depending on the format selected in the options, this result may also be displayed as a checked or unchecked box. The function checks the overall presence of data in the column, not the detailed content.

Display the result as a checkbox

Open the Options
of the Formula column.

Select the Boolean output format.

Value	Display
true	Checked box
false	Unchecked box

IS_EMPTY() can also check whether the result of another formula is empty, here Σ test in(), a Formula-type column that returns a value or a list of values: this output is then used as an input for IS_EMPTY().

IS_EMPTY(Σ test in())

→ The test Σ operator is_empty boolean column is configured with a Boolean output: a checked box (true) means the tested value is empty, an unchecked box (false) means it is not. IS_EMPTY() does not modify the data; it only performs a logical test.

Combine with IF() to display a readable status

Very common use case: display a message when information is missing. The Order placed = column contains a list of selected items (Consulting TJM, Meeting training TJM): the presence of at least one item means the order is defined.

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

→ The is_empty ? column displays a textual status: missing if there is no value in Order placed =, defined if at least one value is present. In this example, the displayed status is defined, because the column contains values. The formula converts a boolean test into a readable status.

Difference between EMPTY() and IS_EMPTY()

Function	Recommended usage
EMPTY()	Simple fields (text, number, date)
IS_EMPTY()	All data types (including lists and relations)

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

Go further

EMPTY()

Impose a null value in a formula, exactly like "" in a spreadsheet.

Read more →

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