If one cell is blank, how do I copy the cell to the immdediate left

[Jeff M]

I have Column A and Column B. Every row in column A is populated, but only some of the rows in column B are populated. I need a formula that copies column A if B is blank. (i.e. If B6 is blank, copy A6). Thoughts?

Thanks! This website is truly awesome!

[DonkeyOte]

Does the following work for you ?

C6: =IF(B6="",A6,B6)

[Jeff M]

Works great! I would like to take it to the next level if you can help. Now if I told you both columns A and B were formatted as dates, and I wanted to copy row A6 minus one day if B6 is blank, what would you say?
(i.e. If B6 is blank and A6 is 3/6/2009, I want B6 to then read 3/5/2009) Any Ideas? Thanks!

[DonkeyOte]

I would then suggest:

C6: =IF(B6="",A6-1,B6)

The above is based on the fact that in XL Dates are Integers and Time is Decimal... on 1900 Date System day 1 is 1st Jan 1900 and today (7th April) is 39910... hence you can add/subtract with dates as you would numbers.

[Jeff M]

It turns the date into a number format and screws up the formatting. I think this will work though. Thanks for your help!

[DonkeyOte]

Format the cell/range to use a Date format (rather than General or Number)

[martindwilson]

i give up !

[krishna007]

Thank you, thank you! You people are Swell! I am wondering how I can check a cell and if it is blank insert a value without reference to another cell. e.g. If d1 is blank then date of 1/1/1920.

Thanks again!