Logical test in IF statement returning incorrect result

[Isabel]

I am trying to create a simple IF statement in Excel 2007. The logical test
in this case is true but the function returns a false. Looking in the
solution, the calculation is incorrect. The specifics are:

if(e3-e15=0,"",e3-e15) In my case the result is 0, so I should be seeing a
blank cell. What I get is (0.00000000023283064) so the cell shows a (0)
rather than being blank. If I enter the formula e3-e15, not in part of the
function, the answer is 0.0000000000000000, which is the correct solution.
The only reason I'm showing all the decimal places is because the incorrect
solution has the result so far to the right of the decimal and that is the
only way I discovered why the statement was not resulting in a blank cell.

Can anyone tell me why I might be seeing the incorrect result? By the way,
other IF statements that do not have a calculation in the logical test are
returning the correct results.

thank you

 

[T. Valko]

Here is an explanation of the problem:

http://www.cpearson.com/Excel/rounding.htm

The fix is to round your test, e3-e15=0, depending on how many digits of
precision you need.

=IF(ROUND(E3-E15,5)=0,"",E3-E15)

 

[Isabel]

Thank you very much, T. Vlako, this does provide a work around to the
dilemma. I believe I understand the issue and why it showed up in this
instance and not when I used the function in other situations..

with regards,
Isabel

 

[T. Valko]

You're welcome. Thanks for the feedback!