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. I want 10.3 is written 10 and 10.9 is also written 10.

    Garments 210 159
    in"1"Ctn 15 15
    Ctns 14 10.6

    I will packed 10 cartons with garments but not .6 carton. Plese tell me the formula which automatically write 10.6 to 10.

  2. Hi,

    What if I require A2 to show the value of A1 if less than 999 to be 0 (in A2 cell), greater than 1000 to be 15 (in A2 cell), greater than 2000 to be 50 (in A2 cell), greater than 5000 to be 100 (in A2 cell), greater than 10000 to be 200 (in A2 cell), greater than 20000 to be 400 (in A2 cell)?

    Is this possible?

    • Hello Lee,

      You can do this by using the following nested If's:

      =IF(A1>20000,400,IF(A1>10000,200,IF(A1>5000,100,IF(A1>2000,50,IF(A1>1000,15,0)))))

  3. Hi Svetlana. Thanks for the guide, it has been very helpful.
    However, I'm in a bit of a tricky situation.

    Let's consider a data set of two columns (A and B) each with a 100 observations. I want to compare the same value from A with B (e.g. A2 vs B2) so that values of B that are more than 1.5 units greater than A is defined as TRUE. Here is an example: A2 = 0.5, B2 = 3.5. Since B is more than 1.5 units greater than A this would be defined as TRUE. The point is to show which observations that are changing significantly (which is defined as 1.5 units and more of A's values)

    I would think the mathematical expression for this would be something like: TURE if B = A + >1.5. Can't come up with a syntax for this expression that actually works. Please help!

    • Hi Andreas,

      If my understanding of your task is correct, the following formula should work a treat:

      =IF(B1-A1>1.5, TRUE, "")

  4. Hi
    I need to make equation to convert percentage to points in excel Like that

    - From 60% to 70% = 2 points

    If the percentage between 60% & 70% the point will be displayed according to the percentage Like that

    1- IF the percentage less than 60% the point will equal 0 point

    2- IF the percentage = 60% the point will be equal 1.0 point

    3- IF the percentage = 65% the point will be equal 1.5 point, that means the is Variable not fixed

    4-IF the percentage = 68% the point will be equal 1.8 point

    Notes:

    - total range for the percentage is 10%
    - total point range is 2 Points

  5. Hi My question is if there would be alpha numeric value in particular cell then how can i use the if function see the example below :-

    60 DAYS DUE NET - NO

    45 DAYS DUE NET - Yes

    in above i want to use the if function if the days is less than 60 days it would be "Yes" else "No"

    • Hi Gaurav,

      You can use use the LEFT function to extract the first 2 characters and NUMBERVALUE to convert them to a number:

      =IF(NUMBERVALUE(LEFT(A1,2))<60, "YES", "NO")

      • sorry but formula given by you is not working

        • On my test sheet, the formula works correctly for 1-digit and 2-digit numbers. For 3 and more digits it does not work. Is it the case? If so, please let me know the maximum number of digits you have before the "DAYS DUE NET" text.

          • Thanks Svetlana ....formula after make changes as =IF(LEFT(A5,2)< "60","Yes","No")

  6. Very useful... Thanks a lot

  7. I need formula for slab 1-50 , 50-100 on ammount range

  8. Hello,

    I want to run formula for below please help.

    I want to calculate Over Time for my workmen, whose OT is above 30 minutes, if its = "30" it should represent acutal value of cell.

    How to apply formula for this?

  9. Good morning,

    Could someone help me with a formula? I need to make the following logic.

    If C60>L51, Use L51 value. If C60 <= L51, do C55xC59

    Thank you very much in advance
    Gustavo

  10. Need help please.

    Two Columns of unique data, column A & B. New column (C) of data which is a sample of column A. I want a new column (D). Column D looks at data in column c & a. If they match, put value from column B (that's beside column A).

    C is less than A, so there will be no false answer.

    Thanks

    • Hi Albert,

      Hopefully this is what you are looking for:

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

      The formula returns a value from B1 if C1=A1, an empty string (blank cell) otherwise.

  11. I meant to put the IF statement as:
    =IF(B4="ISP",C3="Server: n/a",C3="Server:",IF(B4="ISP",E3="Server IP: n/a",E3="Server IP:",IF(B4="ISP",G2="Switch #: n/a",G2="Switch #:",IF(B4="ISP",G3="Router #: n/a",G3="Router #:"))))

  12. I'm working on an inventory sheet, where if I enter a specific word (ISP) into a cell it would change the words in multiple other cells. These other cells are pre-populated with default words but would be changed in the event "ISP" is entered into cell B4. Also I want to put the IF statement into a "stand off" cell, meaning a cell other than B4 or any of the other cells that will be changed, is that possible?
    Example:
    (formula is entered into say M2)
    =IF(B4="ISP",C3="Server: n/a",C3="Server:",
    =IF(B4="ISP",E3="Server IP: n/a",E3="Server IP:",
    =IF(B4="ISP",G2="Switch #: n/a",G2="Switch #:",
    =IF(B4="ISP",G3="Router #: n/a",G3="Router #:"))))

  13. hello

    can anyone help me with the follow?
    if A3=C1 then F1/2

    thank you

  14. Hi - need help to have If statement - i.e if cell a1 has a value of #Value!, I want to add the cell content from Y1

    • Hi Colin,

      Is my understanding correct that you want to add the content from Y1 to A1 when A1 has the #Value! error? If so, you can encslose the formula you currently have in A1 in the IFERROR function, like this:

      =IFERROR(your formula, Y1)

  15. Day's Sliver Gold
    Mon 34736 1453
    Tue 34736 1453
    Wed 31491 1453
    Thur 41606 1475
    Fri 36990 1473
    Sat 34736 1453

    I have a above data and I need a formula that when I select a day like mon then we get a result of that day silver and gold value in a row. Please advise for the same.

  16. Hi Abraham,

    Try creating a table with the value range you are looking for, for example create a table with the numbers 1 to 100 in the fist column and the second column with the result you are looking for. Then use the vlookup formula to populate the answer on the second table you are working on.
    This approach is a long term solution and my files I have used it for looking up service years in an organisation and based on the output create range band using pivot tables.
    If you send me the template with dummy data I will work it out with instructions to use the excel file.

    Regards,
    Ramki

  17. hi,

    I want to do an if function with something like this
    if(40<x<140,5%*5,).
    I tried it but it does not pick those numbers between 40 and 140 for the calculations. the output i get for those numbers are 0.

    please assist. thanks in advance.

    • Hi Abraham,

      To pick numbers between 40 and 140, you need to embed an AND statement into your formula, for example:

      =IF(AND(A1>40, A1<140),5%*5,)

  18. Hello,

    I want to do a formula for working hours column E like if day column B is Sun or Ph, E=0 orelse E=column D (time out)-column C (time in).
    Please help.

  19. TABLE 1
    COUNTRIE CAPITAL RESULT
    INDIA LUCKNOW
    USA ITALY
    THAILAND BANGKOK
    THAILAND SPAIN
    INDIA NEW DELHI
    USA AMERICA

    TABLE 2
    COUNTRY CAPITAL
    INDIA NEW DELHI
    THAILAND BANGKOK
    USA AMERICA

    AS GIVEN IN TABLE 2, ARE THE CORRECT CAPITALS OF PROVIDED COUNTRIES AND ACCORDING TO THAT DATA, MATCH THOSE CAPITALS FROM TABLE 1. IF THE CAPITAL IS CORRECT, THEN RESULT SHOULD BE TRUE, OTHERWISE FALSE

    PLEASE HELP ME

    • Hi Neeraj,

      I have used the data table structure you have mentioned in your post and got the required outcome you are looking for.
      Given below is the formula with the column reference:
      Table 1 with incorrect capitals - column A=Country, Column B=Capital and Column C="True/False".
      Table 1 with correct capitals - Column E=Country, Column F=Capital.
      Formula: =if(iferror(vlookup(A2, E:F,2,false)=A2,"TRUE"<FALSE".
      In the column you can get the True or False depending on whether the right capital has been typed in.
      Let me know is you get this or I can send you a sample template with your data.
      Regards,
      Ramki

      • Oops, The table with the correct capitals should be Table 2 and not table 1.
        Regards,
        Ramki

  20. Hi Melarie,

    Create a LOOKUP table with the first column being 1, 2 and so forth. For each value give the corresponding text you desire in the adjacent column. Creating a table with any number of rows is a one time task and saves a lot of time and is not like creating long and complex formulas. In the database I assume that you have Column1 showing A1,A2 etc, Column 2 listing 1,2,3 etc [either manually typed or via dropdown list, Column 3 where you enter the formula "Iferror(Vlookup(value=A1,[range]table columnns 1:2,column2,false),0). The text you desire will automatically be picked up. I can send you a sample temple if you need one.
    Let me know is this worked for you.
    Regards, Ramki

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