Cellwise

Logic function

Excel NOT function

NOT reverses a logical value: TRUE becomes FALSE and FALSE becomes TRUE. Use it when it is easier to describe what you do not want, like "not blank" or "not in this department".

fx=NOT(logical)

Arguments

logical
The condition or TRUE/FALSE value to reverse.

NOT examples

Every result below was calculated live from this sample sheet.

ABCD
1ContactEmailStatusOpted out
2Lena Parklena@parkdesign.comActiveFALSE
3Omar HaddadLeadFALSE
4Rita Gomezrita@gomezlaw.comActiveTRUE
5Sam Wusam@wu.ioChurnedFALSE
  1. fx=NOT(D2)

    Result: TRUE

    Lena has not opted out (FALSE), so NOT returns TRUE: she can be emailed.

  2. fx=NOT(ISBLANK(B3))

    Result: FALSE

    Omar has no email, so ISBLANK is TRUE and NOT flips it to FALSE.

  3. fx=NOT(C5="Churned")

    Result: FALSE

    Sam is churned, so the test is TRUE and NOT returns FALSE.

  4. fx=IF(AND(NOT(D4),C4="Active"),"Send","Skip")

    Result: Skip

    Rita is active but opted out, so the newsletter skips her.

How to use NOT

  1. Write the condition you want to reverse, like ISBLANK(B2).
  2. Wrap it in NOT( and close the bracket.
  3. Use the result inside IF or AND if you need a label.

Common NOT mistakes

Using NOT where <> is simpler

NOT(A2="Lead") works, but A2<>"Lead" is shorter and easier to read.

Passing more than one condition

NOT takes exactly one argument. Combine tests with AND or OR first, then wrap the result in NOT.

NOT FAQ

How do I check if a cell is not blank in Excel?

Use =NOT(ISBLANK(A2)), or the shorter =A2<>"". Both return TRUE when the cell has something in it.

What is the difference between NOT and <> in Excel?

<> compares two values. NOT flips any TRUE/FALSE result, so it also works on functions like ISBLANK or ISNUMBER.

Can I use NOT with a number?

Yes. Excel treats 0 as FALSE and any other number as TRUE, so =NOT(0) is TRUE and =NOT(5) is FALSE.

Guides that use NOT

Related functions

Updated 2026-10-31