Formulas can't be used to hide rows.

You can use a filter to hide rows based on a condition

select your data
Data=filter=Autofilter

select the column that has the values you want to filter on. Select the
dropdown and set the condition. so you would filter on Tom, so only rows
containing tom are visible.


Repeat the sequence to in the menu to remove the filter.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy

"John O'brien" <John wrote in message
...
what syntax is correct in the false part of an "if" statement to delete a
blank row...eg =if( a1= "Tom", B1,{ what goes here to delete the row so as
blank rows are not returned}