Data-Driven Test. How to handle Tab to next control for fields that are blank

Hi,

New User here. I recorded a keyword test, then created a Data-Driven Loop. Right now just performing a few quick tests. Input data consists of client name and service begin and end dates, however, for some services a blank end date is acceptable. In that case, the script should just TAB to the next field.  The script simply enters the date in mmddyyyy format as text. Cell in XLS is blank for no end date. Next script step is [Tab] to get to next control. The execution gets stuck at the End date field with Exception [Type Mismatch].

Maybe I need to use If/Else logic to check the End Date value and if Null, skip to next control. I tried but cannot figure out how to add/insert an If condition. Right-click Insert Operation only has If Object which expects an object.

Additional note:

In some cases a default end date is automatically filled in when Tabbing off Begin Date [auto-end-date]. In other cases End Date is left blank. depends on the service for the client. Both are possible and accepatable and need to be handled in addition to an actual end date in the xls. I think the [auto-end-date default] prevents us from just entering 00000000 for blanks, because sometimes that would blow away auto-generated End Date.

I am confused as to how to approach these things.

I appreciate any examples of handling empty data fields and how to insert conditional operations.

Thanks,

Bill