How to use IF function in Excel: examples for text, numbers, dates, blanks

In this article, you will learn how to build an Excel IF statement for different types of values as well as how to create multiple IF statements.

IF is one of the most popular and useful functions in Excel. Generally, you use an IF statement to test a condition and to return one value if the condition is met, and another value if the condition is not met.

In this tutorial, we are going to learn the syntax and common usages of the Excel IF function, and then take a closer look at formula examples that will hopefully prove helpful to both beginners and experienced users.

IF function in Excel

IF is one of logical functions that evaluates a certain condition and returns one value if the condition is TRUE, and another value if the condition is FALSE.

The syntax of the IF function is as follows:

IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])

As you see, IF takes a total of 3 arguments, but only the first one is obligatory, the other two are optional.

Logical_test (required) - the condition to test. Can be evaluated as either TRUE or FALSE.

Value_if_true (optional) - the value to return when the logical test evaluates to TRUE, i.e. the condition is met. If omitted, the value_if_false argument must be defined.

Value_if_false (optional) - the value to return when the logical test evaluates to FALSE, i.e. the condition is not met. If omitted, the value_if_true argument must be set.

Basic IF formula in Excel

To create a simple If then statement in Excel, this is what you need to do:

  • For logical_test, write an expression that returns either TRUE or FALSE. For this, you'd normally use one of the logical operators.
  • For value_if_true, specify what to return when the logical test evaluates to TRUE.
  • For value_if_false, specify what to return when the logical test evaluates to FALSE. Though this argument is optional, we recommend always configuring it to avoid unexpected results. For the detailed explanation, please see Excel IF: things to know.

As an example, let's write a very simple IF formula that checks a value in cell A2 and returns "Good" if the value is greater than 80, "Bad" otherwise:

=IF(B2>80, "Good", "Bad")

This formula goes to C2, and then is copied down through C7: Basic IF formula in Excel.

In case you wish to return a value only when the condition is met (or not met), otherwise - nothing, then use an empty string ("") for the "undefined" argument. For example:

=IF(B2>80, "Good", "")

This formula will return "Good" if the value in A2 is greater than 80, a blank cell otherwise: IF formula to return nothing when the condition is not met.

Excel If then formula: things to know

Though the last two parameters of the IF function are optional, your formula may produce unexpected results if you don't know the underlying logic.

If value_if_true is omitted

If the 2nd argument of your Excel IF formula is omitted (i.e. there are two consecutive commas after the logical test), you'll get zero (0) when the condition is met, which makes no sense in most cases. Here is an example of such a formula:

=IF(B2>80, , "Bad")

To return a blank cell instead, supply an empty string ("") for the second parameter, like this:

=IF(B2>80, "", "Bad")

The screenshot below demonstrates the difference: The behavior of the value_if_true argument.

If value_if_false is omitted

Omitting the 3rd parameter of IF will produce the following results when the logical test evaluates to FALSE.

If there is just a closing bracket after value_if_true, the IF function will return the logical value FALSE. Quite unexpected, isn't it? Here is an example of such a formula:

=IF(B2>80, "Good")

Typing a comma after the value_if_true argument will force Excel to return 0, which doesn't make much sense either:

=IF(B2>80, "Good",)

The most reasonable approach is using a zero-length string ("") to get a blank cell when the condition is not met:

=IF(B2>80, "Good", "") The behavior of the value_if_false argument.

Tip. To return a logical value when the specified condition is met or not met, supply TRUE for value_if_true and FALSE for value_if_false. For the results to be Boolean values that other Excel functions can recognize, don't enclose TRUE and FALSE in double quotes as this will turn them into normal text values.

Using IF function in Excel - formula examples

Now that you are familiar with the IF function's syntax, let's look at some formula examples and learn how to use If then statements in real-life scenarios.

Excel IF function with numbers

To build an IF statement for numbers, use logical operators such as:

  • Equal to (=)
  • Not equal to (<>)
  • Greater than (>)
  • Greater than or equal to (>=)
  • Less than (<)
  • Less than or equal to (<=)

Above, you have already seen an example of such a formula that checks if a number is greater than a given number.

And here's a formula that checks if a cell contains a negative number:

=IF(B2<0, "Invalid", "")

For negative numbers (which are less than 0), the formula returns "Invalid"; for zeros and positive numbers - a blank cell. A formula to check if a cell contains a negative number.

Excel IF function with text

Commonly, you write an IF statement for text values using either "equal to" or "not equal to" operator.

For example, the following formula checks the Delivery Status in B2 to determine whether an action is required or not:

=IF(B2="delivered", "No", "Yes")

Translated into plain English, the formula says: return "No" if B2 is equal to "delivered", "Yes" otherwise. Using the IF function with text.

Another way to achieve the same result is to use the "not equal to" operator and swap the value_if_true and value_if_false values:

=IF(C2<>"delivered", "Yes", "No")

Notes:

  • When using text values for IF's parameters, remember to always enclose them in double quotes.
  • Like most other Excel functions, IF is case-insensitive by default. In the above example, it does not differentiate between "delivered", "Delivered", and "DELIVERED".

Case-sensitive IF statement for text values

To treat uppercase and lowercase letters as different characters, use IF in combination with the case-sensitive EXACT function.

For example, to return "No" only when B2 contains "DELIVERED" (the uppercase), you'd use this formula:

=IF(EXACT(B2,"DELIVERED"), "No", "Yes") Case-sensitive IF statement for text values.

If cell contains partial text

In situation when you want to base the condition on partial match rather than exact match, an immediate solution that comes to mind is using wildcards in the logical test. However, this simple and obvious approach won't work. Many functions accept wildcards, but regrettably IF is not one of them.

A working solution is to use IF in combination with ISNUMBER and SEARCH (case-insensitive) or FIND (case-sensitive).

For example, in case "No" action is required both for "Delivered" and "Out for delivery" items, the following formula will work a treat:

=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("deliv", B2)), "No", "Yes") IF cell contains partial text.

For more information, please see:

Excel IF statement with dates

At first sight, it may seem that IF formulas for dates are akin to IF statements for numeric and text values. Regrettably, it is not so. Unlike many other functions, IF does recognize dates in logical tests and interprets them as mere text strings. In other words, you cannot supply a date in the form of "1/1/2020" or ">1/1/2020". To make the IF function recognize a date, you need to wrap it in the DATEVALUE function.

For example, here's how you can check if a given date is greater than another date:

=IF(B2>DATEVALUE("7/18/2022"), "Coming soon", "Completed")

This formula evaluates the dates in column B and returns "Coming soon" if a game is scheduled for 18-Jul-2022 or later, "Completed" for a prior date. Excel IF statement with dates.

Of course, there is nothing that would prevent you from entering the target date in a predefined cell (say E2) and referring to that cell. Just remember to lock the cell address with the $ sign to make it an absolute reference. For instance:

=IF(B2>$E$2, "Coming soon", "Completed")

To compare a date with the current date, use the TODAY() function. For example:

=IF(B2>TODAY(), "Coming soon", "Completed")

Excel IF statement for blanks and non-blanks

If you are looking to somehow mark your data based on a certain cell(s) being empty or not empty, you can either:

  • Use the IF function together with ISBLANK, or
  • Use the logical expressions ="" (equal to blank) or <>"" (not equal to blank).

The table below explains the difference between these two approaches with formula examples.

  Logical test Description Formula Example
Blank cells =""

Evaluates to TRUE if a cell is visually empty, even if it contains a zero-length string.

Otherwise, evaluates to FALSE.

 =IF(A1="", 0, 1)

Returns 0 if A1 is visually blank. Otherwise returns 1.

If A1 contains an empty string (""), the formula returns 0.
ISBLANK()

Evaluates to TRUE is a cell contains absolutely nothing - no formula, no spaces, no empty strings.

Otherwise, evaluates to FALSE.

 =IF(ISBLANK(A1), 0, 1)

Returns 0 if A1 is absolutely empty, 1 otherwise.

If A1 contains an empty string (""), the formula returns 1.
Non-blank cells <>"" Evaluates to TRUE if a cell contains some data. Otherwise, evaluates to FALSE.

Cells with zero-length strings are considered blank.

 =IF(A1<>"", 1, 0)

Returns 1 if A1 is non-blank; 0 otherwise.

If A1 contains an empty string, the formula returns 0.
ISBLANK()=FALSE Evaluates to TRUE if a cell is not empty. Otherwise, evaluates to FALSE.

Cells with zero-length strings are considered non-blank.

 =IF(ISBLANK(A1)=FALSE, 0, 1)

Works the same as the above formula, but returns 1 if A1 contains an empty string.

And now, let's see blank and non-blank IF statements in action. Suppose you have a date in column B only if a game has already been played. To label the completed games, use one of these formulas:

=IF(B2="", "", "Completed")

=IF(ISBLANK(B2), "", "Completed")

=IF($B2<>"", "Completed", "")

=IF(ISBLANK($B2)=FALSE, "Completed", "")

In case the tested cells have no zero-length strings, all the formulas will return exactly the same results: IF statement for blank and non-blank cells.

Check if two cells are the same

To create a formula that checks if two cells match, compare the cells by using the equals sign (=) in the logical test of IF. For example:

=IF(B2=C2, "Same score", "") Check if two cells contain the same values.

To check if the two cells contain same text including the letter case, make your IF formula case-sensitive with the help of the EXACT function.

For instance, to compare the passwords in A2 and B2, and returns "Match" if the two strings are exactly the same, "Do not match" otherwise, the formula is:

=IF(EXACT(A2, B2), "Match", "Don't match") Case-sensitive IF formula to check if two cells match.

IF then formula to run another formula

In all of the previous examples, an Excel IF statement returned values. But it can also perform a certain calculation or execute another formula when a specific condition is met or not met. For this, embed another function or arithmetic expression in the value_if_true and/or value_if_false arguments.

For example, if B2 is greater than 80, we'll have it multiplied by 7%, otherwise by 3%:

=IF(B2>80, B2*7%, B2*3%) IF formula that runs another formula.

Multiple IF statements in Excel

In essence, there are two ways to write multiple IF statements in Excel:

  • Nesting several IF functions one into another
  • Using the AND or OR function in the logical test

Nested IF statement

Nested IF functions let you place multiple IF statements in the same cell, i.e. test multiple conditions within one formula and return different values depending on the results of those tests.

Assume your goal is to assign different bonuses based on the score:

  • Over 90 - 10%
  • 90 to 81 - 7%
  • 80 to 70 - 5%
  • Less than 70 - 3%

To accomplish the task, you write 3 separate IF functions and nest them one into another like this:

=IF(B2>90, 10%, IF(B2>=81, 7%, IF(B2>=70, 5%, 3%))) Nested IF statement.

For more formula examples, please see:

Excel IF statement with multiple conditions

To evaluate several conditions with the AND or OR logic, embed the corresponding function in the logical test:

For example, to return "Pass" if both scores in B2 and C2 are higher than 80, the formula is:

=IF(AND(B2>80, C2>80), "Pass", "Fail")

To get "Pass" if either score is higher than 80, the formula is:

=IF(OR(B2>80, C2>80), "Pass", "Fail") Excel IF statement with multiple conditions.

For full details, please visit:

If error in Excel

Starting from Excel 2007, we have a special function, named IFERROR, to check formulas for errors. In Excel 2013 and higher, there is also the IFNA function to handle #N/A errors.

And still, there may be some circumstances when using the IF function together with ISERROR or ISNA is a better solution. Basically, IF ISERROR is the formula to use when you want to return something if error and something else if no error. The IFERROR function is unable to do that as it always returns the result of the main formula if it isn't an error.

For example, to compare each score in column B against the top 3 scores in E2:E4, and return "Yes" if a match is found, "No" otherwise, you enter this formula in C2, and then copy it down through C7:

=IF(ISERROR(MATCH(B2, $E$2:$E$4, 0)), "No", "Yes" ) If error formula in Excel.

For more information, please see IF ISERROR formula in Excel.

Hopefully, our examples have helped you get a grasp of the Excel IF basics. I thank you for reading and hope to see you on our blog next week!

Practice workbook

Excel IF statement - formula examples (.xlsx file)

Table of contents

4800 comments

  1. Hello all, I hope someone can shed some light on my issue.
    I am trying to calculate fuel consumption based on different MOVEMENTS of the ship from cell A1.
    Cell A1 will either be, LOAD, SEA, MANEUVER, DISCH. Each Movement will correspond to a different CELL with its corresponding fuel consumption rate. SEA corresponds to cell A20 (or 1.02). I tried the IF function, but could only manage to get one IF.
    ex A1 (SEA), B1=30 hours. FORMULA in C1, =IF(A1="SEA",(B1*A20)). This one works, but I cant seem to add multiple IF functions for LOAD, MANEUVER, DISCH, withouth it saying #value.
    Any help would be great! thank you

      • Mary,
        Thank you so much! That was it! Merry Christmas!
        ~P~

        • Pricilla,

          Thank you very much for your reply. I'm so glad to hear you found the solution in this article!

          Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :)

  2. Ross:
    What's the IF formula you're using?

  3. I am creating a time sheet. For each day I have three columns, Time (15 min breakdown of the day), Activity, and Time worked.

    I each created an IF function to fill the third column with a value 0.25 if the Activity cell has content.
    (ie; no content = I have not done any work. 0.25 represents the quarter of an hour i have worked).

    I had hoped to use a Sum function at the bottom of the third row to add up all the 0.25s to total my hours worked that day. However, the SUM function does not recognize the 0.25, generated by the IF function, as a number (cells are in number format but the 0.25 aligns to the left like text).

    Would appreciate some help with this puzzle :)

  4. Requested Mam/Sir,

    Kindly send me the All If functions in a Excel sheet, so that i will practice it at home after the office

    Your's Hopefully,
    A.Ganesh

  5. I have a set reference number in Colum A1 (254511556)

    Column B1 has the product name (metal screw)
    Column B2 has the product delivery date (DOD 15 Nov 2018)

    Is there a way to move value B2 to C1, if so can someone please help with the formula.

    thank you

  6. Khan:
    If the only two options are "PCS" or "CTN" then enter this in an empty cell:
    =IF(A24="PCS",F24*H24,E24*H24)

  7. IF COLUMN A TEXT IS = "PCS" THEN COLUMN H MUTIPLY WITH COLUMN F
    IF COLUMN A TEXT IS = "CTN" THEN COLUMN H MUTIPLY WITH COLUMN E

    KINDLY HELP IF THIS FORMULA IS POSSIBLE THEN MAKE FORMULA PLEASE AND SHARE..

  8. Hello Everyone,

    Trying to figure out how to show the value from a cell when doing IF.OR function.

    Here is my function (not working):
    =IF($P$14="";"";IF(OR($P14="PALLET";"$H14";"$L14"))

    The function should show empty if empty, but show the value of cell "H14" if P14=Pallet, while if different, show the value of cell "L14".

    Thank to all for the help.

  9. I Need if date is less than 15 days then it will be the same month and if date is more than 15 days the it should be next month. Please help in find formula

  10. Hi
    What is the formula to allow an Yes/No response to the induction expiry.

    Induction expiry Permit to work
    16/03/2020 yes
    18/03/2018 no

    THanks

  11. I am stumped, I am trying to tie 3 columns together with column 1 having a drop down menu. I need to be able to use the first column to select a city and the following 2 columns auto-populate with amounts.

    (IF D4=Norfolk, then E4=94 and F4=55) is what I am trying to get to work. Is this even possible?

    • No Anthony that is not even a correct formula.

  12. Hi

    If you see my data table, variable INNO_PS has value (yes/no) only for 2011H1. I need the same value for 2010H2 in INNO_PS variable if ID is same. This is a large database, it is not possible to do manually. Please help to get Excel syntax for this purpose. Thanks

    ID WAVE INNO_PS
    5 2010H2
    6 2010H2
    6 2011H1 No
    11 2010H2
    13 2010H2
    17 2010H2
    17 2011H1 Yes
    23 2010H2
    23 2011H1 No
    25 2010H2
    25 2011H1 No
    26 2010H2
    27 2010H2
    27 2011H1 Yes
    28 2010H2
    29 2010H2
    32 2010H2
    32 2011H1 Yes
    40 2010H2
    40 2011H1 No

  13. 80% - 83% 1 mark
    84% - 87% 2 mark
    88% - 91% 3 mark
    92% - 95% 4 mark
    96% - 100% 4 mark
    help me to formula for this in excel

    • =IF(L29<80%,"0",IF(L29=80%,"1",IF(L29<=83%,"1",IF(L29=84%,"1",IF(L29<=87%,"2",IF(L29=88%,"3",IF(L29<=91%,"3",IF(L29=92%,"4",IF(L29<=100%,"4","0")))))))))

      Note: L29 is reference cell

      • =IF(L29<80%," ",
        IF(L29=80%,"1Mark",IF(L29<=83%,"1Mark",IF(L29=84%,"2Mark",IF(L29<=87%,"2Mark",IF(L29=88%,"3Mark",IF(L29<=91%,"3Mark",IF(L29=92%,"4Mark",IF(L29<=100%,"4Mark","0")))))))))

  14. ...if the 'REORDER LEVEL IS GREATER THAN THE STOCK QUANTITY'. what formula should i use?

    Thank you..

  15. Please help me.. I HAVE 2 CONCERNS
    1. I have a column of "Stock Quantity". i want the "Stock Quantity"automatically decreases when i insert a data in my delivery sheets. then,

    2. From my "Stock Quantity" let say i have 1000 stocks, the "REORDER LEVEL is 2,500. i want the row highlighted into color red if the 'REORDER LEVEL IS GREATER THAN THE STOCK QUANTITY'. what formula should i use?

    Thank you..

    • i like to share my view here, if its use full i feel hapy

      For 2) conditional formating, then Highlight cell rules, then greater than option not required formle for RED colour

      For 1) In same cell its not possible, need to add one more column for stock quantiry for ( opening or closing )then its possible

      =B5-Sheet2!B6,share your mail id i try to send excel sheet directly

  16. I have a table with 5 columns, which each column has there own percentage of evaluation for example 25%-25%-25%-10%-15%.
    I want to create a formula that to look on each cell for each column the number and if it does't find number to take the percentage of that column and spread it to the other columns.

    25% 25% 25% 10% 15%
    1.00 0.73 0.45

    In this case it has to take the 25% and the 10% and spread it to the other columns and do the calculations again from the start so I will get the correct number.
    If I was going to do it by hand I will do the 35%/3 which 11.67% and add it on each column with data and then take the original data and multiply them with the result of the summary -

    0% 36.67% 36.67% 0% 26.67%

    Who can give a help with this?

  17. Is there a way to automatically move a row to sheet 2 if a specific cell contained text?
    Cell that would contain a date or be blank is G2. If it contained text I'd want to move a2:h2 to sheet2. On sheet2 it would not need to be in any specific place.

  18. I have two worksheet. i.e,Worksheet A and worksheet B. A11 of Worksheet A contains FR189X and B6 of Worksheet B is FR189. Likewise I have multiple rows in Worksheet B. I want to compare A11 of Worksheet A with column B of Worksheet B, if its equal then copy the value present on column F of Worksheet B into Worksheet A.

    I am using below codes and its working when A11 is same with B6.

    =IF(LEFT(A11,5)=[Book1.xlsx]Sheet1!$B$6,VLOOKUP(LEFT(A11,5),[Book1.xlsx]Sheet1!$B:$S,18,0),"")

    But its not working when I want to replace A11 of Worksheet A with B7 of Worksheet B. Can you please help?

  19. Hi,

    I'm trying to write a formula to say that if cell F4 says 'yes', to then remove the fill colour from cell E4. I am having trouble doing this. Can anyone do this? Thanks in advance :)

    • You don't need a formula - look at Conditional Formatting>Highlight Cell Rules

  20. How would I write the formula for if a range contains a value greater than 2, then true?

    • Hi.. i like share my view..

      =IF(J17>2,"True", "False")

    • Hi... i like share my view ..

      =IF(J18>2,"True", " ")

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