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Created by Guest
Created on Aug 13, 2019

Support "NULL" checks for calculated columns

When you are using calculated columns, and want to check if a 'value type' field such as a date is null, there isn't a clean way of comparing the value to null. For example: If a date is blank, return "Not set", else return the date formatted as a string.

We were able to overcome this by using the coalesce function:

if(coalesce(field(“Feature due date”), “1900-01-01") == “1900-01-01”, “Not set”, “<date>”)
 
However, it would  be more easy on the eye to be able to do:

if(field(“Feature due date”) == null, "Not set", ...)
  • ADMIN RESPONSE
    Jan 16, 2026

    Thank you for submitting and voting on this idea. We've now implemented an empty() function in calculated columns, which is consistent with the empty() function that was already available in worksheet equations. You can use this to check if a value or field is empty.

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  • Justin Woods
    Nov 26, 2024

    Quite surprised this simple quality of life request hasn't been implemented yet.

    My temporary workaround has been to use the length function which I find a little easier for people to get their heads around.

    if(length(field("Objective name") = 0), "Has Objective", "No Objective")

  • Jonathan Lewit
    Jun 26, 2020

    I agree that a null check would be far easier to read, but would like to thank you for highlighting the coalesce workaround. Using this now!

  • Laura Giles
    Aug 21, 2019

     

    ISBLANK /  NOTBLANK /NULL function support so I can run a calc if a core/custom field is blank.