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

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. Continue reading →

Comments page 107. Total comments: 4830

  1. pleas upload some educational vedios

  2. Hi there,

    I got the first question solve while I was browsing the above comments, thanks by the way.

    If I may ask again, Could you please help me how to formulate a formula for the following given figures below. I want to calculate the elapsed time in minutes for each row.

    DATE IN TIME IN DATE OUT TIME OUT ELAPSED TIME
    15/03/2015 9:49 15/03/2015 10:30 ?
    15/03/2015 7:00 15/03/2015 13:30 ?
    15/03/2015 8:30 16/03/2015 6:30 ?
    15/03/2015 9:00 22/03/2015 8:30 ?
    15/03/2015 9:30 20/04/2015 6:30 ?

    Many thanks,
    Adzhar

    1. lets say A1 = 15/03/2015 10:30 , B1= 15/03/2015 10:30
      then C1 will be : =((B1+0)-(A1+0))*24*60
      the "+0" trick is really cool once you get used to it, it convert values that have diferent types of representations back to its numeric equivalent.
      Next part "*24" turn the value into hours with floating point and the "*60" turn it into minutes.
      If you get strange value just correct the format in C1 and you are good to go :)

  3. Hi Svetlana,

    Good day. I hope you could help me with my issue.

    I want to give a three different ratings for the following figures:

    If 0 to 200 = A
    If 201 to 800 = B
    If greater than 800 and any numbers with a negative signs = C

    Many thanks in advance.

    Regards,
    Adzhar

    1. Hi Adzhar,

      Here you go:
      =IF(A1>800, "C", IF(A1>200, "B", IF(A1>=0, "A", "C")))

  4. I have set a couple of conditions as follows

    Permanent 299 0 300 Yes(E7)
    Temporary 3 0 100 Yes(E8)

    Final Result: Yes

    Even if one of the records is failing i.e its a "No" then the final result should be "No"

    For the Final Result I have used the following formulae
    =IF(E7="No","No","Yes")

    My question is how do I define a range (E7 to E8)

    In the above formulae I can only select one particular cell i.e E7

    Regards,
    Sachin

    1. Hi Sachin,

      If the range included only two cells, the easiest way is to use the OR statement, like this:

      =IF(OR(E7="No",E8="No"),"No","Yes")

      If the range includes several cells, you can use the COUNTIF function, e.g.:

      =IF(COUNTIF(E7:E16, "yes")=10, "yes", "no")

      Where 10 is the number of cells in the range.

  5. Svetlana,

    Thank you for your continued dedication to this thread and the extremely helpful responses you've given to the users thus far!!
    If possible, I also have a question that you may be able to assist me on.
    I'm utilizing the IF formula as follows:
    =IF(D3=40,"110")
    It goes on continuously basically for a scale that doesn't mathematically progress properly so I'm doing it individually by each number. My question is, when it returns the value of "110", is there a way for Excel to read that as a number and not text? I'm trying to also incorporate a SUM function but it won't read it as an actual number.
    Any insight would be great and thank you again!
    Respectfully,
    Shon

    1. Hi Shon,

      This is because Excel interprets any value enclosed in double quotes as a text string. So, simply remove double quotes and your formula will work just fine:
      =IF(D3=40, 110)

      1. Svetlana,

        Thank you very much for your insightful assistance and valuable time!

        Respectfully,
        Shon

  6. Hi,

    I am looking for a formula for multiple text. i.e. if bananas, apples and oranges belong to Mr A the result would be Mr A or if potatoes, broccoli and celery the result would be Mr B. Help! Only one column of mixed text with one word per row. Thanks.

  7. I need some help with a formula I am trying to make in a workbook I use for sports tickets. I have a workbook, with a sheet labelled "Cards 2016" that contains all the games with a unique reference of the word “Open” if the tickets haven’t been sold in col E, If col E = “Open” then I want to enter the date from same sheet “Cards 2016” B3 on to a new sheet labelled "Available 2016". If that cell has anything other than "Open", I just want the cell on sheet "Available 2016" to read "Sold"

    This obviously didn't work but here is what I thought would work. In a cell on "Available 2016" I put this formula =IF('Cards 2016'!E5="Open";'Cards 2016'!B5),("Sold")

  8. hai,
    i want a formula stating if A1=B1 "ok" then A1>B1 "short" A1<B1 "excess"
    can you help?

    1. Try this:
      =IF(A1=B1,"ok",IF(A1>B1,"short",IF(A1<B1,"excess")))

  9. Hi
    just a correction to the above formula

    =IF(AND(StaffRates!A4=D4,StaffRates!B4""),StaffRates!B4*G4,0)

  10. Hi,

    I am trying to work out staff wages against hours worked. So I have staff names against their rates in a separate worksheet and said names against hours worked I another, so I want to lookup the names then times their respective rates against hours work and populate the earnings column. I am using the following but it only return the zero

    =IF(AND(StaffRates!A4=D4,StaffRates!B4""),StaffRates!B4*G4,0)

    so:
    A4 and D4 holds the names
    B4 is the rates
    G4 hours worked

    Hope this makes sense and thanks for your help.

  11. Hi,
    I see you help many people.

    I would like to compare 2 cells and if the difference is greater than 500, I want it to highlight / put a comment.

    IF(columnA-columnB)>500

    is not working.

  12. Hi,

    I am looking forward to creating one formula excel in which if I enter "1" then it chooses USA, "2" chooses Asia. Can you please tell me how to achieve that.

    Thanks in advance,

    Manaf

    1. Use nested IF functions:

      =IF(A1=1,USA,IF(B1=2,ASIA,""))

    2. for Example:
      1 = USA
      2 = INDIA
      3 = UAE
      Regions
      PO Amt Country USA INDIA UAE
      55000 1 55000
      12000 2 12000
      25000 3 25000

  13. Help me write function if .for this table below
    Column A1= Mr
    Column B1= " "
    Column C1= " "
    I want result Column D1= Mr

    Column A2= " "
    Column B2= Mrs
    Column C2= " "
    I want result Column D2= Mrs

    Many thank for your help.

    Column A3= " "
    Column B3= " "
    Column C3= Ms
    I want result Column D3= Ms

    1. Hi Sem,

      You can use the following nested IF functions:

      =IF(A1<>"", A1, IF(B1<>"", B1, IF(C1<>"", C1, "")))

  14. Dear
    i am working shift A B C D,MORNING,AFTERNOON,NIGHT AND SHIFT OFF FOR EXPL

    SHIFT-1 A A M M N N O O

    SHIFT-2 M M N N O O A A

    SHIFT-3 O O A A M M N N

    SHIFT-4 N N O O A A M M

    ALREADY ARRANGE AUTOMATIC YEARLY CALENDAR BUY I CAN'T LINK WITH SHIFT

    HOW CAN I DO THIS PL TELL ME
    THANK YOU

  15. Can someone help me to build an excel formula that will return a list of drivers who have driven over 5,000 miles? Column A lists drivers' names, columns B-P list how many miles each driver has driven on different trips. Column Q totals those columns; "total miles" for each driver. Column R has the IF function that basically states, if the total miles in Column Q exceeds 5,000, return the name of that driver. Here is the formula; =IF(Q2>5000, A2, " "). It works, but I get a list of names with blank cells in between. I just want list of the drivers who have exceeded 5,000 without the blank cells in between (the blank cells are the drivers who have not exceeded 5,000 miles. So if my boss were to ask me, "Get me a report of all the drivers who have exceeded 5,000 miles", I don't want to hand him a spreadsheet that has a name, then a couple of blank cells, then a name, and a few more blank cells, etc. Thank you for your help.

  16. Please help me to create booking number for below case:

    if I add company name i need new booking number for this company.

    Exaple-

    Company Name | Booking Number
    A 211
    A 212
    B 101
    C 456
    A 213
    C 102

    Thank you in advance

  17. Hello,
    I am trying to use an if function and have the following:
    =IF(H6="E6/7","","Reset Required")

    However, I haven't been able to figure out how to have the cell return to and empty cell instead of it coming up "reset required" when items in column H are blank? Can you help me?

    1. Hi Rachel,

      Just add one more condition to your formula, like this:
      =IF(OR(H6="E6/7", H6=""), "","Reset Required")

      FYI, if E6 in your formula is a cell reference, then you shouldn't enclose E6/7 in double quotes, otherwise Excel interprets it as a text string.

  18. HI , I am trying to do an if statement bringing information from sheets labeled Jan, Feb, Marc, etc. I want the same information every month.I have a sheet with the totals on same excel sheet as the months, that I want to transfer my info monthly too. right now the formula that the person before me has reads like this
    {=SUM(IF(June!M:M="IC",1,0))}
    so from the calls we get it they are an IC (incoming call) OC (outgoing call) etc I want them to return a number. I hope this makes sense. I have not been able to duplicate this formula. when I entere the formula in it does not calculate it just stays as this
    {=SUM(IF(August!N:N="IC",1,0))} What am I doing wrong.

  19. Hi,

    I'm trying to generate a formula that will list a "last completed" date (from column E) for each of the categories in column A.

    =MAX(IF(A3:A100=$I$2,E3:E1000=DATEVALUE("mm/dd/yyyy")))

    Column A: Column E: Column H: Column I:
    1 [title]
    2 Children's DVDs 7/13/2015 Adult fiction books
    3 Adult Biographies 10/7/2015 Last Completed:[formula here]
    4 Adult Fiction Books 11/18/2015
    5 Adult Fiction Books 12/12/2015
    6 Adult Biographies 12/13/2015
    7 Children's DVDs 12/19/2015 ...

    I'm not very good with multiple criteria formulas, so I know something is off.

    Thanks!

    1. oh, the spacing got screwed up.The titles are under column A (Children's DVDs etc.) The Dates are under column E. Column H has the "last completed" and Column I has the actual formula. Sorry.

  20. Hello Svetlana!
    I want to create a formula in order to calculate Personal Income Tax.
    If gross amount equal or less than 2500 we should subtract 136 (tax relief) from taxable gross amount then find 14% of the gross. If gross amount is equal or less than 136 (0-136) we shouldn't pay any amount.
    Gross amount Tax
    2500 ?
    160 ?
    This is my old formula
    =IF(B13<=2500;B13*0,14;(B13-2500)*0,25+350)
    Could you please help me?

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
    Thanks in advance

  21. Hi Dear,
    I have 150416060006003 number. Its are come from ERP soft.
    this is dtmsid but i want like this (4/16/2015 8:58:36 PM)
    can you help me

  22. hi,

    I tried this a few times but can't get excel to understand what I need. Is it even possible?

    1 = < 90% 2 = 90% to 97.9% 3 = 98% to 104.9% 4 = 105% to 110% 5 = 110% & above

    I want to get the number 1-5 as results from the percentages value.

    Thanks

  23. IN EXCEL SHEET THERE IS A CELL A1,B1,C1,D1,.....
    IN CELL A1 IS 50
    IN CELL B1 IS 50,
    IN CELL C1 IS A1+B1
    IN CELL D1,IF THERE IS OPTION LIKE YES OR NO,IF I PUT YES IN CELL D1 THE VALUE OF C1 SHOULD SHOW,IF I PUT NO IN CELL D1 THE VALUE OF C1 SHOULD NOT SHOW.
    CELL D1 SHOULD OPERATE CELL C1.
    PLEASE GIVE ME THE FORMULA FOT THIS.

    1. Type this in C1:

      =IF(D1="YES",A1+B1,"") -> This way, anything other than "yes" in D1, will not show anything.

      If you want something else to show in case theres neither "yes" or "no" in cell D1, let me know because you'll need a nested IF formula.

      1. THANK YOU
        BUT FOR ADDING THIS IS OK, BUT IF I NEED TO MULIPLE OR SUBRACT
        WHAT I SHOULD DO
        FOR EG:IN C1 =A1/50*B1

        WHAT SHOULD I DO

        1. SALMAN,

          Just replace A1+B1 in the formula with any other calculation you want, e.g.:

          =IF(D1="YES", A1/50*B1,"")

  24. If I enter cell A1 date C1 should calculate and show number of days pending, if enter date in B1, C1 should show message completed, if A and B1 empty C3 show Don't worry massage.

    1. Hi Manju,

      > If I enter cell A1 date C1 should calculate and show number of days pending

      How exactly shall the formula calculate the number of days pending? Is it a difference between the date in A1 and today's date? Shall it be a past or future date, or either?

  25. I need to know the formula if you enter value ex. in cell b2 and the output in b3 will be the date today

    1. Henry,

      Our blog engine has problems with < and > symbols, sorry for this.

      Nana,

      Here's the complete formula:
      =IF(B2<>"", TODAY(), "")

      1. Thank you! lol

        1. THANKS SVETLANA

    2. Put this in B3:

      =IF(B2"",TODAY(),"")

      1. For some reason the formula above didnt show up correctly, but between B2 and "" you got to include

        1. OMG it isn't showing lol
          you got to include the "not equal" sign

          1. THANKS HENRY HELPS A LOT..... :)

  26. Hi,

    I need to make cell 'BLANK' if data less than 0.
    I work on daily precipitation data, if precipitation value for day j is missing the value equal to (-999), for this I want cell becomes empty for all the data below zero.
    thank you in advance for any help you provide.

    1. You have to open Excel Options, Formulas, and Enable Iterative Calculations.
      then you put in the cell you want to make blank if below zero (for instance A1).

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

  27. Hi Svetlana,

    I have cells date formatted to record dates of meetings. Is it possible to have a default text message in each cell 'No Meeting' until a date is entered.

    Otherwise, could I solve this with a drop box which gives a choice of Enter Date or No Meeting. If I use this, is it possible to date format the cell.

  28. Hai Svetlana Cheusheva

    Rupees value
    a1 = no.of student represent
    b1 = no. of students present

    i want the result b1<=5 then value is result 75 (rs) if it is greater than the value b1X10 now i want the formula to get 0 if the value is zero if i want result zero

  29. Hi!

    I am not sure if this IF function can do this in excel, but i'm looking to if the IF function evaluate a column of values for a blank entry, or a null value, then i'd like to output the names of those values in a different sheet.

    Example:

    Supplier Status Paid
    ---------------------------
    Bob Delivered X
    John Delivered
    Mary Delivered X

    I'd like to read the paid column for a blank value, then on another sheet, output all supplier names who haven't been paid. Am I attempting to do something too difficult?

    Thanks for all your help!

  30. I am using excel 2007.
    I have data created every half hour entered in column A starting at 00h 30m
    Column B has nothing in it until 24 hrs has elapsed (00h 00m)then has day "1" displayed in B48.
    C48 has the sum of data for that day only.
    D48 has the sum of data between the hours of 8am and 5pm only.
    Columns B,C, and D have nothing in them until row 48 (end of day).
    I wish to graph the day end results only and my problem is I have 12 months of data in column A.
    My problem is I wish to plot a chart showing the single end of day results only ie just the 365 values in each column every 48 rows down for 17,520 rows (365 days x 48/day).
    How do I avoid plotting the null values in the rows in columns B,C, and D where the intraday data in column A is located. I have been trying to do this by creating another sheet and manually referring to each "day number" row for 365 days and then copying cells sideways but got tired of this after about 12 days. There must be an easier way.
    Can someone please help - I don't know VBA

  31. Hi i want in one raw if value <3 then give me value 0 if <2 then give me 1 and if <1 then give me 2 and if blank give me 3 in one formula so that i can drag same formula in entire excel sheet

    1. Hi Dhirendar,

      You can use nested If functions as follows:

      =IF(A1="", 3, IF(A1<1,2, IF(A1<2,1, IF(A1<3,0,""))))

  32. Trying to build a formula where one sheet one there would be a list of colors. On the next sheet would be columns for people to guess a color; however once they guess a color I do not want them to be able to guess that color again. Is there a formula that can compute that.

  33. Trying to build a formula for:
    Row 1 - 200
    Column A measurement
    Column B alpha size.
    I want to show: if A1 is 38<41.5 show s; 42<44 show m; 44.5,47 show l
    Then I can do countif(1:200,"s") etc
    I then want to cross-check:
    count in column A all cells that have measurement 38<41.5

  34. Hi ,

    I am trying to create a formula if the sale days are less than 100 to take the name of the sale item

    1. Can you send me a screenshot of it so I have a better idea of how your table is set up?

  35. Hello,
    I am trying to create a formula for:
    CellA: $amount CellB: Store Number
    How can I make all cells with the same store number to add up as the amount is
    being inputted into the table.
    Thank you please help

    1. I'm not sure I completely understand your question

  36. ydi mujhe suppose mujhe if condition lagane par coloumn me likhe name chahiye to syntax kya dena hoga

  37. Hello,

    I would like to write a formula to give me alarm by changing the cell to red color and the formula is about the following:
    If the amount in Cell (AE300) is bigger than zero and the date is 30 days before the date in cell (G300), then change the cell (AE300) color into red.

    Thanks in advance.

    1. What cell are you taking the first date value from, to compare to the date in G300?

  38. Desired Date: Accomplished date: Result
    15-Nov-15 15-Nov-15 or Lower dates Achieved
    15-Nov-15 16-Nov-15 Failed
    15-Nov-15 Not Accomplish

    Anyone can help? My problem was the blank space; I can’t formulate the blank space. The output was on the right side. Please help me to solve this.

  39. basically i do not want have a value over 1, if it comes out over i want it to be 1. if it is under then whatever the number is fine.

    1. =IF((C6/D6)>=1,1,(C6/D6))

  40. I am wanting to put in a formula that I keep getting an error message. This is the basic idea though. IF(C6/d6)>=1,if true = 1, if false use c6/d6. Can somone help me with the formula

  41. Hi Svetlana
    Imam kolona B so brojki od pravecot na veterot( vo stepeni) od 0 do 360. Vo kolona C treba namesto brojki da stoi samo znak so strana na svetot ( I,Z,S,J,SI,SZ,JI,JZ). Probav so slednata formula ama nekade gresam.
    IF(OR(B2>=337;B2=23;B2=68;B2=113;B2=158;B2=203;B2=248;B2=293;B2<=336);"NW"))))))))
    Molam za pomos. Fala odnapred.

    I have a column B with numbers of wind direction (deg) from 0 to 360.In column C How to change number to data ex: if wind direction is 0 = N, 46=NE,....

    1. =IF(OR(B2>=337;B2=23;B2=68;B2=113;B2=158;B2=203;B2=248;B2=293;B2<=336);"NW"))))))))

  42. hello sevena, i can not use IF function for the rate of percent.how to use it on the excel program. for example: how to find the rate of 88% (percent). =IF and what i should write something then

  43. Hi,
    i want to use the function to write a value in another cell whether the result is true or false.
    For example: if cell (A1+A2)>3; true: A3=4; false: A3=0
    Is it possible or it is with another function?
    Thanks in advance!

    1. If you want the cell A3 to always display 4 in case its true, the formula would be:

      IF((A1+A2)>3,4,0)

      Now, if you want the cell A3 to display the result of A1+A2, then the formula would be:

      IF((A1+A2)>3,(A1+A2),0)

  44. Hi,

    So I have two tables. Table 2 is named "Servers" has two columns. One column with a list of databases and the column next to it with the list of servers those databases are located on. Table 1 is for data entry. I want the cells in Table 1 to auto populate the associated server name when the database name is input.

    I'm an excel noob I'm sorry.

    =IF(H72=(*a specific value found somewhere in column C in table "servers",*the value in the column B in the same table, *if no value exists remain blank))

    I hope you understand.

    1. Nevermind I found it!

      =INDEX(Servers!A:A,MATCH(H64,Servers!C:C,0))

  45. I'm using IF statement to compare due date with today's date to provide a priority number on my task worksheet. However I want to add to this formula by showing "Completed" if the task is done. This is the formula I am currently using =IF(C9<8,1,IF(C9<15,2,IF(C930,4)))) where C9 has an updated number of days left before due date. How can I insert "Completed" into this from my status cell G9? Please let me know if I need to clarify more.

  46. Alright so I have this formula I'm working on:

    {=IF('[Jobs Bills & Due Dates.xlsx]Billing'!$B$20:$I$28"",IF(((LEFT('[Jobs Bills & Due Dates.xlsx]Billing'!$B$20:$I$28,10)+45)-TODAY())>30, SUM(IFERROR(SUBSTITUTE('[Jobs Bills & Due Dates.xlsx]Billing'!$B$20:$I$28,LEFT('[Jobs Bills & Due Dates.xlsx]Billing'!$B$20:$I$28,14),"")*1,0)),),)}

    It involves the values of an array form another Worksheet.

    In each cell of the given array, the values we input are always "10-characters long date(i.e. 12/10/2015), "space dash space", "$(money symbol)" and the amount for that bill". (ie. 12/10/2015 - $1000)
    On that formula, I want to add all the money values (hence the whole IFERROR formula) that have the "due date" above 30 days left (hence the +45 - TODAY() formula).
    But right now it's returning a value of 0.
    Please help?!

  47. i have many cell and all have different values like 33.3,35.8,ets.
    i want that in the lower cell of all those cell to be written as available or not available.

    If( C8=35.8, C8=33.3, ......, "avail")

  48. Need help if(A1="number","Yes",if(A1="text","No","wrong"))

  49. Thanx your support

  50. I need a formula...This is what I tried (I have also tried adding "and" and "or" in there, but keep getting a False....I'm Stuck!
    =IF(B2="Male", IF(B6="Very",X20,IF(B2="Female",IF(B6="Very",X14,IF(B2="Male", IF(B6="Light",X18,IF(B2="Female",IF(B6="Light",X12))))))))

    I have a drop down list in B2 (Female, Male)
    I also have a drop down list in B6 (Light, Very)
    I have numbers for a male light and male active (X18, X20) and female light and female active (X12, X14).
    In Cell C2, I want it to populate the number from X18 if I choose Male, Light....or populate the number from X12 if I chose Female Light. I can get it to work separately (selecting Male, Light - I will get the correct number, however if I select Female, Light - I will get a "false"). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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