Returns true if a specified expression is empty.

Syntax

EMPTY(<exp>)

<exp>

An expression of any type.

Description

Use EMPTY( ) to determine if an expression is empty. The definition of empty depends on the type of the expression:

Expression type

Empty if value is

Numeric

0 (zero)

String

empty string ("") or a string of just spaces (" ")

Date

blank date ({ / / })

Logical

false

Null

null is always considered empty

Object reference

Reference points to object that has been released

Note that event properties that have not been assigned handlers have a value of null, and are therefore considered empty. In contrast, an object reference pointing to an object that has been released is not null; you must use EMPTY( ).

EMPTY( ) is similar to ISBLANK( ). However, ISBLANK( ) is intended to test field values; it differentiates between zero and blank values in numeric fields, while EMPTY( ) does not. EMPTY( ) understands null values and object references, while ISBLANK( ) does not. For more information, see ISBLANK( ).