# Boolean functions and fields

**URL:** <https://community.baserow.io/t/boolean-functions-and-fields/3705>\
**Category:** Feedback\
**Tags:** baserow\
**Created:** [November 2, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.baserow.io/t/boolean-functions-and-fields/3705 "2023-11-02T18:22:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PROXIP-Gerard](https://community.baserow.io/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@PROXIP-Gerard](https://community.baserow.io/u/PROXIP-Gerard)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.baserow.io/t/boolean-functions-and-fields/3705/1 "2023-11-02T18:22:08Z")

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Hello,  
I see the following as a serious shortcoming of Baserow: boolean functions do not work well with fields as an argument.  
Example: a (formula) field is supposed to take the data from field A (link-to-table) if this field in not empty, otherwise take the data from field B (look-up).  
The function “when\_empty” does not work, only works with simple text fields…  
Same type of problem encountered with “isblank”, “if” etc.: no way to make a Boolean test on data in field C, to take data from field A if TRUE otherwise take data from a field B (FALSE).  
I did not succeed to find a work-around because if a field (lookup, link-to-table) is empty, the formula using that field as an argument returns nothing, void.  
Anyway, to me the function when\_empty(field(‘A’),field(‘B’)) should work, but it does not…  
Same for if(field(‘C’)=0,field(‘A’),field(‘B’))  
I want more than simply if(field(‘C’)=0,‘it is zero’,‘it is not zero’)  
Hope there is a good solution and/or things will evolve.  
Thanks in advance,  
Gerard

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**Author:** ![frederikdc](https://community.baserow.io/user_avatar/community.baserow.io/frederikdc/32/2086_2.png) [@frederikdc](https://community.baserow.io/u/frederikdc)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.baserow.io/t/boolean-functions-and-fields/3705/2 "2023-11-02T18:57:10Z")

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Hello Gerard,

A link-to-table field and a look-up fields can contain multiple items which makes them arrays or lists. The function isblank() on the other hand expects a simple value like text, number, date,… This explains why it works on single text fields and not on link-to-table, lookup or rollup fields.

So, you first need to convert the list to a text. This can be done with the join() function. The result is a string that is empty when there are no elements in the link-to-table or lookup field. This will respond correctly on the isblank function.

A small (useless) demo.

 ![image](https://community.baserow.io/uploads/default/original/2X/b/bb1cb757c279ff69e2fe46ce164c97754a5ff6b7.png)

I check if the field Organization (link-to-table field) has a value. If this is true, I show the content of the field Name. Otherwise, I show the content of the field Note. The formula is:

```auto
if(isblank(join(field('Organization'),'')),field('Notes'),field('Name'))

```

Hope this solves your problem.

Regards  
Frederik

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**Author:** ![PROXIP-Gerard](https://community.baserow.io/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@PROXIP-Gerard](https://community.baserow.io/u/PROXIP-Gerard)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 10:32am UTC](https://community.baserow.io/t/boolean-functions-and-fields/3705/3 "2023-11-03T10:32:40Z")

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Hello Frederik,

Thank you for your prompt and clear reaction, much appreciated!

I now see what to do to get what I want in Baserow.

I just tested, works perfectly!

My problem is solved.

Suggestion: add this explanation to the user doc / formulas; it would have saved me time (tried many things, nothing worked; using the “join” function to convert to text was the key!)

Many thanks again,

Kind regards,

Gerard

PS: sent a reply by e-mail too, but got not through.

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**Author:** ![olgatrykush](https://community.baserow.io/user_avatar/community.baserow.io/olgatrykush/32/219_2.png) [@olgatrykush](https://community.baserow.io/u/olgatrykush)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 11:05am UTC](https://community.baserow.io/t/boolean-functions-and-fields/3705/4 "2023-11-06T11:05:22Z")

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@PROXIP-Gerard, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have added a troubleshooting guide: [Formula field reference // Baserow](https://baserow.io/user-docs/understanding-formulas#boolean-functions-not-working-well-with-fields-as-arguments).