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 had a formula in E12 as =Sum(E8:E11) simple right, but now I have to edit that so that the cells remain blank if no value has been entered for "Cash" in Cell 8. I have tried so many different combinations with IF and I am not getting this at all any suggestions?

  2. IF I TYPE W IN COLUMN A1 COLUMN B1 SHOULD DISPLAY 5

    PLEASE GIVE A FORMULA

    ND

    • HI,
      =if(A1="w","5","")

  3. I seem to have a new one. My data has quotes already in the cell.

    Column A
    "Data1"
    "Data2"
    "Data3"

    Since it already has quotes, I am having trouble getting excel to recognize the data since the quotes are use twice?

    IF=(A1=""Data1"","No"

    Is there a way to say the data already has quote or to separate it in the formula?

  4. I am trying to to run a formula for keeping track of 2 cash floats. We have a main float and an overflow float. If we draw cash, I would like it to subtract from the overflow first, then when it runs out, draw from the main. The main needs to have a cap of $300, so when we add cash, it first adds to the main until it reached $300 and then will start adding to the overflow. Please let me know if you need any further information. Thank you for your time!

    • Nevermind, figured it out. Thanks!

  5. hi guys can somebody help me about this function ?
    =IF(E2>=1000,"High Sale", IF(AND(E2=500), "Medium Sale", "Low Sale"))
    i'm pretty sure it's not true
    and also I can not understand what does it mean :

    Write a formula (using the data in All Data sheet) in cell B4, to display the total sales in state in cell A4. Your formula should be written in such away that it can be copied to cells B5:B15.

    • Hello Arman,

      It looks like you need the following formula:
      =IF(E2>=1000, "High Sale", IF(E2>=500, "Medium Sale","Low Sale"))

      As for your second task, please describe it in more detail. We'll do our best to assist you.

  6. I need help with a formula that will say If W8 contains a date, then X8 needs to be that date plus 21 days. Example: If W8 has 3/12/2016 entered, I want X8 to show 4/2/2016 but ONLY if W8 has a date in it. Otherwise I want X8 to remain empty.
    I got this far =IF(ISBLANK($W8)=FALSE,"?????","") but don't know how to code the return of the "date + 21 days part" (the ????? part in the formula above).
    Thanks in advance!

    • Hello Tonya,

      You can set the format of cell X8 to "Date" and enter the following formula:
      =IF(ISBLANK($W8)=FALSE,$W8+21,"")

  7. Hi..
    I want to replace all special character with space from a sentence in excel.

    pl. help us with formula.

    Thanks,,

  8. Hello everyone, I'm trying to populate a certain cell using this technique. What I got so far is this, but it doesnt seem to be doing what I want.

    =IF(E3<TODAY(), "=.5*D3", "")

    I want it so that when the current date is past the date listed in cell E3, the selected cell will populate half the value of cell D3 if true, and nothing if it is false. Unfortunately, I don't really know how to populate the cell with the equation if true.

    Can anyone help?

    • Hello Vincent,

      Your formula is almost right,but it doesn't need the second equals sign and quotes as it gets the calculated value:
      =IF(E3<TODAY(), D3*0.5, "")

  9. I work at a school, and i manage the book shop over there, so i want to keep my record straight for my boss, i forget things so fast :) and also my purchase record, thats why i want to set a formula to fastly enter. i deal with notebooks, diaries and artpads, so I want a formula for text and numbers both, for example if i write 'D' in a cell, the formula will write the amount of '55' for a Diary, and so on for notebook, i mean if i write 'N' for notebook, the formula will write the amount '50' for me. I just want to set that formula. So i can deal with other customers also.

    • Hello Ali,

      If your list of possible letters is limited, you can use several conditions in your formula:
      =IF(A2="D",55,IF(A2="N",50,IF(A2="A",45,"")))

      Here A2 is the cell where you enter the letter that corresponds to the product.

  10. Hello! I have worked out a formula that calculates hours from times given in order to calculate salaries. The following formula as you can see is for individuals that work 8hrs and sign in and out for their breaks.

    =IF((((AJ93-AI93)+(AL93-AK93)+(AN93-AM93)+(AP93-AO93))*24)>8,8,((AJ93-AI93)+(AL93-AK93)+(AN93-AM93)+(AP93-AO93))*24)

    This one calculates the O/T hrs above 8hrs

    =IF(((AJ93-AI93)+(AL93-AK93)+(AN93-AM93)+(AP93-AO93))*24>8, ((AJ93-AI93)+(AL93-AK93)+(AN93-AM93)+(AP93-AO93))*24-8,0)

    I am having two problems; the first is that I cannot work out how to do an "if" formula for an individual with only an "in" and "out" time?

    Also there is one whose "in" time is "pm" and the "out" time is "am" which is causing bigger problems. Is there a formula that doesn't need the dates? I have tried many "if" formulas but all are giving me a "-16" instead of an "8" no matter how I adjust it?

    This seems to be a very helpful forum.

    Any advice would be appreciated!

    Thank you!

    Kind regards.

    • Hello Craig,

      You can add the following condition to process blank cells correctly:
      IF(OR(ISBLANK(AM95);ISBLANK(AN95));0;AN95-AM95)

      As for your second question, you can add one more condition to calculate time on different days:
      IF(OR(ISBLANK(AO95);ISBLANK(AP95));0;*IF(AP95-AO95>0;AP95-AO95;AP95-AO95+1)*)

  11. Hello, I am trying to create an equation that gives me a result such as, If They are part of an A List and also has a guest it adds it together, but if they don't have a guest it just adds them. If they are part of B List it adds them and if they have a guest it adds that as well. Trying to get the total of the Individuals and guests they are associated with for A list and then also for B list. (If that makes sense). Thank you!

    • Hello,

      I'm sorry, but it is difficult to understand the task without seeing the data you have. Please send a sample spreadsheet to support@ablebits.com and include the way you want to see the result. Please add a link to your comment into your email.

  12. Want to build if formula

    =IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("1001",AH2)), "Clarification", "Yes")

    its working fine but want to add some more criteria to it.

    Eg: 1001,2001,3001, "Clarification"

    And 1002,2002,3002, "Information"
    and 1003,2003,3003, "error"

    need help

    • Hello Ismail,

      If I understand your task correctly, you can use the following formula:

      =IF(OR(AH2=1001,AH2=2001,AH2=3001),"Clarification",IF(OR(AH2=1002,AH2=2002,AH2=3002),"Information",IF(OR(AH2=1003,AH2=2003,AH2=3003),"error","Yes")))

  13. We will fix 10 % threshold for one material, we have some condition, which is the threshold is greater than or equal to 10 % = Issue, the same condition we have to apply for -10% threshold also. how i can.....?

  14. Hi

    I have hour data in a1 cell(8:30) i want if a1 less than 6:00 it returns yes otherwise no but if a1 is 0:00 in that case how to calculate.

    • Hi Saumendra Barik,

      Time in Excel is stored as a fraction of a twenty-four-hour day, so if you multiply the cell value by 24, you will get the number of hours. Therefore you can use a simple condition:
      =IF(A1*24<6,"Yes","No")

      0:00 will be equal to 0 in this case.

  15. Hi,
    i have one problem,
    i have Five columns, first- A2, B2, C2, D2, and last E2.
    than i want, when (A2-B2), if A2 more than B2 than showing Result Amt. Column C2 and D2 Column is nill, but B2 more than A2 than Showing Result Amt.Column D2 and C2 Column is nill. and calculate interest only for C2 Column, D2 is not apply for Interest Calculation, Calculation is (10000*15%)/(365*20)).
    plz solve as soon as possible.

  16. Hi!

    I have read alot of guides about conditional formatting/if sentences containing dates, but I can't find the answer I'm looking for.

    I have to cells containing dates: "outdate" and "birthdate".
    I need a if-sentence that checkes whether the date in "outdate" is before january the year after the year specified in "lamdate"

    I hope this example can clear this mess up:

    lamdate outdate check
    01.04.2014 01.12.2014 TRUE
    01.04.2014 01.02.2015 FALSE
    01.04.2014 01.01.2015 TRUE

    Any idea how to do this?
    Thanks in advance.

    Greetings from Henriette.

    • Hello Henriette,

      You can try the following formula:
      =EDATE(EDATE(A1,(MONTH(A1)*(-1)+1))-DAY(A1)+1,12)>=B1

      I hope this helps.

  17. I have this formula: =VLOOKUP($A$1,PP!$A$2:$BU$191,MATCH(A62,PP!$A$1:$BU$1,0),0)

    I need to have anything under $10.00 not pull over. I am only looking for amounts above this $10.00

  18. im trying to figure put this formula
    example
    when we put no. 4 the value on the next cell will become 75%
    help

  19. I am trying to work out bonuses paid on individual total sales figures if it is more than the average total sales of all salespersons that is:
    Cell I7 is the individual sales figure and B14 is the average total sales figure if the individual sales figures is more than 20% of the average sales figure then 0.5% becomes payable

    Please can you help with formula mine is not working out here

  20. Svetlana, Irina please help :)

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