Excel formula to copy a column based on another column value -

Excel formula to copy a column based on another column value -

i have 3 excel columns this,

col_a col_b col_c ----- ----- ----- ross joey rachel monica chandler pheobe gunther janice carol susan richard

i want values copied in column c in next condition,

if col_b has value, col_c should have same value col_b (regardless of col_a has value or not). if col_b blank, col_c should have same value col_a.

so col_c this,

col_c ----- joey rachel chandler pheobe janice carol richard

is there excel formula using can accomplish this?

the below work if empty cells indeed empty

=if(col_b="",col_a,col_b)

the below if 'empty' cells have space (this crops more you'd think!)

=if(col_b=" ",col_a,col_b)

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