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

4804 comments

  1. Hi, how do you program a cell to fill itself with "1" based on the given date range? I have all dates in one row and in the column I have employee names.

  2. hi,

    the values in my cell are "<90", the if formal hasn't been picking up on this and is returning the second condition for all cases
    Is there anyway to fix this?

  3. Thank you very much
    I've learnt a lot more here than in class
    I was able to find what was needed then and there
    Thank you once again
    Good job, you all

  4. Hi! I could use some help if anyone is available.

    I have 2 sheets that contain the same column called "Content Title".

    Sheet 2 has an additional column with data in it called "Total Unique Users". I want to bring over the data from Sheet 2 column "Total Unique Users" to Sheet 1 if I can find the same Content Title in Sheet 1.

    For example, If Content Title in Sheet 1 is equal in Sheet 2, pull the data from the "Total Unique Users" column in Sheet 2 into Sheet 1.

    Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

  5. I have 2 columns of numbers , cOL C&D . I need Col A to represent a letter based on these criteria.
    If C is greater than D then show text H else show A

    I have =IF($C$3>$D$3,"H","A") this works OK but if the numbers match I need to show text D. How can I do this please..

      • Thanks so much for your FAST solution - it works great.. in fact you are 'Alexander the great'.

  6. Hi,
    I'm trying to use formula in a budget where
    C3 D3 ($eg) E3(monthly)
    yearly $95000 = D3/12
    monthly $500 = D3*1
    weekly $50 = D3*4

    Please assist with e3 cell formulas

    Regards
    Annette

    • Hello!
      If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:

      =IF(C3="yearly",D3/12,IF(C3="monthly",D3,IF(C3="weekly",D3*4,"")))

  7. I want to write a statement in sheet named Master, that reads a cell in sheet named 2021 and if it says N, come back with NO. If it is blank, I want it to come back with a blank. If it is anything else, I want it to give me the value in another cell in sheet 2021. How do I do this? I have tried a bunch of different IF functions and everything comes back with an error.

  8. To everyone, I need help.
    Column A1: John Doe
    Column A2: Jim Doe
    Column A3: James Doe
    ...

    So, columns B should be:
    Column B1: 12345
    Column B2: 23456
    Column B3: 34567

    John is 12345, Jim is 23456, James is 34567.
    How to make formula that puts their numbers when I put their names?

  9. Working on setting up a asset inventory sheet using existing bar codes,

    I can get the Barcode to scan insert Barcode number and insert scan date. But I also need it to search the spreadsheet for a matching barcode, and update the scanned date with the current date.

    Present code:
    Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
    Dim x As Integer
    For x = 2 To 1000
    If Cells(x, 1).Value "" And Cells(x, 2).Value = "" Then
    Cells(x, 2).Value = Date & " " & Time

    Cells(x, 2).NumberFormat = "m/d/yyyy h:mm AM/PM"

    End If

    Next

    Range("B:B").EntireColumn.AutoFit
    End Sub

    Would like to have it to where I scan in one Cell and have it search for exsisting data match or append @ the end of the rows.

  10. =(IF(N191.4,N191.7,N192.4,"NORA"))))
    Hello!
    I would like to write a formula saying:

    if N191.4 and N191.7 and N192.4 write NORA

  11. =IF(N191.4,N19<1.7, "PA"))
    Hello, This formula enters False or True instead of PA when the value is between 1.4 and 1.7.
    Thank you for your help

  12. I have spent hours and cannot figure this out. I have a spreadsheet with contract numbers and material numbers, a second tab has the same information contract numbers and material numbers but it includes a line for each shipment. I am trying to come up with a formula that counts the number of shipments, So anything greater than 0 that matches the contract number and the material number count as 1. I cannot figure it out: =COUNifs('Aug 2021'!E:E,">0",'Aug 2021'!J:J,D2,'Aug 2021'!I:I,E2) This is the closest I have gotten and it comes up with the #name?

  13. I don't understand why my if statement does not work. I am searching for age based on year in 2 digit format. 98, 02, 13 ect. The year for the exercise is 2014. The formula I wrote follows:

    =IF(F6<14, 14-F6, 114-F6)

    The results all come back 14-F6 no matter if the value is above or below 14. but if it is above 14 shouldn't the function follow the false result function of 114-F6?

    Does a have to be equated to zero specifically or something. I finally got the function to work with =IF(F6-14>0, 100-F6+14, 14-F6) but that seems like a lot of extra steps compared to my first equation.

    • Hello!
      I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me.
      What are the values recorded in F6? Are these values written as number, date, or text? The value 02 is text and cannot be compared to a number. Specify your question.

  14. Hello, I'm wondering if you can help me? Looking to create a formula to simply identify currency 'EUR' or 'USD' in source column, to then compute exchange rate for that currency in next column. I have been trying to use the 'IF' function, but it doesn't work. For example:

    Column A: 'EUR' or 'USD'
    Column B: =IF(A1=EUR,"4.50","3.67")

    However this is giving me #NAME? error.

    Was wondering if you had any suggestions?
    Thanks!

  15. I have one column where hours will be put. If one day has zero hours, I want another column on same day to put DYO, and in a third column for it to put day off, and all other columns to remain blank. This will all remain on one date or line. I would like it all done based on that one column having zero. Any ideas on formula?

  16. Hello, I have this formula that works individually but will like to have it as a single formula.
    =IF(L6="SUPPRESSED", (EDATE(N6,11).
    =IF(L6="UNSUPPRESSED", (EDATE(N6,3).
    In my table, the L column returned "Suppressed" if the value connected to its formula is 1000. So I want a single formula the will return (EDATE(N6,11) and (EDATE(N6,3) if the L column returned "Suppressed" or "Unsuppressed".

  17. Hi everyone,

    Please could someone help me I am trying to create the following

    If M2 is less or equal to 0-0.99 return the text in cell N2 "0"
    If M2 is less or equal to 1.00-1.99 return the text in cell N2 "1"
    If M2 is less or equal to 2.00-2.99 return the text in cell N2 "2"
    If M2 is less or equal to 3.00-3.99 return the text in cell N2 "3"
    If M2 is less or equal to 4.00-4.99 return the text in cell N2 "4"
    If M2 is less or equal to 5.00-5.99 return the text in cell N2 "5"
    If M2 is less or equal to 6.00-6.99 return the text in cell N2 "6"
    If M2 is less or equal to 7.00-7.99 return the text in cell N2 "7"
    If M2 is less or equal to 8.00-8.99 return the text in cell N2 "8"
    If M2 is less or equal to 9.00-9.49 return the text in cell N2 "9"
    If M2 is less or equal to 9.50-9.99 return the text in cell N2 "10B"
    If M2 is equal to 10.00 return the text in cell N2 "10A"

    Any help would be hugely appreciated.

      • Thank you Alex!

  18. Trans. Date Type of Customers Due Date

    06/10/21 Regular 06/25/21
    06/10/21 Consignment 06/17/21

    Note:

    1) What is the formula to add 15 days from the date of transaction

  19. Good

  20. Hi. I am trying to create a formula that compares a single cell to an entire column(unlimited number) of data. Basically I have a tracking # in a cell and need to compare that to a column consisting of tracking #'s that have been shipped(I will be continuously adding to this column). I want to create a column that lets me know if that tracking # in a cell has been shipped.
    So I was tried using formula:
    =if(C9=I:I,"Shipped","Freezer")

    But it doesn't not work. even though that cell(C9) matches a number in I:I, it will not display shipped and only displays freezer instead.

    • Hello!
      The IF function does not work with ranges. Please use the following formula

      =IF(ISNUMBER(MATCH(C9,I:I,0)),"Shipped","Freezer")

      You can learn more about MATCH function in Excel in this article on our blog.

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