IF Function both in formual and conditional formatting.

Hello, 

I have already enabled the IF function to correspond to certain values and return text. I have also conditionally formatted the text to colours. When I don't yet have data in the cells below and adjacent it returns a blank cell (IFERROR used). Now when I do this it assumes one of the IF function of < Cell Value and returns the text. However when the cell is blank (as I don't have data yet) I would like to add in formatting for the highlighted cells to also remain blank.

I understand it is incredibly hard to communicate this error over text but any help will be greatfully appreciated.

Many thanks,

GPepperell