by 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:
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:
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:
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:
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", "")
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.
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.
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")
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")
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.
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$2, "Coming soon", "Completed")
To compare a date with the current date, use the TODAY() function. For example:
=IF(B2>TODAY(), "Coming soon", "Completed")
Excel IF statement for blanks and non-blanks
If you are looking to somehow mark your data based on a certain cell(s) being empty or not empty, you can either:
- Use the IF function together with ISBLANK, or
- Use the logical expressions ="" (equal to blank) or <>"" (not equal to blank).
The table below explains the difference between these two approaches with formula examples.
| Logical test | Description | Formula Example | |
| Blank cells | ="" |
Evaluates to TRUE if a cell is visually empty, even if it contains a zero-length string. Otherwise, evaluates to FALSE. |
=IF(A1="", 0, 1)
Returns 0 if A1 is visually blank. Otherwise returns 1. If A1 contains an empty string (""), the formula returns 0. |
| ISBLANK() |
Evaluates to TRUE is a cell contains absolutely nothing - no formula, no spaces, no empty strings. Otherwise, evaluates to FALSE. |
=IF( Returns 0 if A1 is absolutely empty, 1 otherwise. If A1 contains an empty string (""), the formula returns 1. |
|
| Non-blank cells | <>"" | Evaluates to TRUE if a cell contains some data. Otherwise, evaluates to FALSE.
Cells with zero-length strings are considered blank. |
=IF( Returns 1 if A1 is non-blank; 0 otherwise. If A1 contains an empty string, the formula returns 0. |
| ISBLANK() |
Evaluates to TRUE if a cell is not empty. Otherwise, evaluates to FALSE.
Cells with zero-length strings are considered non-blank. |
=IF( Works the same as the above formula, but returns 1 if A1 contains an empty string. |
And now, let's see blank and non-blank IF statements in action. Suppose you have a date in column B only if a game has already been played. To label the completed games, use one of these formulas:
=IF(B2="", "", "Completed")
=IF(ISBLANK(B2), "", "Completed")
=IF($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:
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", "")
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")
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%)
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%)))
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")
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" )
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)
4803 comments
Hello sabrina,
Please use below text formula to check diffrence between 2 dates insted of datedif:-
=TEXT(C22-B22,"yy") (this will come in d22)
then type in next coloumn =IF(D22<5,"80 Hrs","120 Hrs")
Enjoy ...!!
Hi Peshiyaboy,
Regrettably, this simple solution won't work because the result of the TEXT function is always a text string, even if it looks like a number. Consequently, the IF formula won't work correctly.
Hello, I am having some trouble with using the IF function to calculate the vacation entitlement of employees with a certain tenure.
I would like to stipulate that an employee whose tenure is less than 5 years would get 80 hours of vacation, but if 5 or more years, would get 120 hours of vacation.
On my spreadsheet, column D displays the tenure. NOTE: the tenure is not a straight number, but a calculation made with a =DATEDIF function.
The below formula is what I've been using:
=IF(D2<5, "80", "120")
However, the answer always ends up being 120 even if the value in column D is less than 5 years. Any assistance in helping me correct this would be greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance!
Hello Sabrina,
Most likely, the value in column D is a text string that looks like a number, and it is the source of the problem. To be able to say with certainty, I need to know your formula in D2.
BTW, the result of your IF formula will also be a text string because you enclosed the numbers in quotation marks, and therefore you wont't be able to use those "text-numbers" in other calculations. So, you'd better put it this way: =IF(D2<5, 80, 120)
=1+11+11+11+11+11+11+1
please give me sum formula using this sequence after enter getting result but i want answer in excel formula
I have a meeting in 15 minutes and need some excel help fast.
I have two different excel workbooks. they both contain similar information. What I want is to find out which Product Codes in column A of workbook 1 are also in column B of workbook 2
Not sure if this is a IF or a VLookup situation
Hello,
I think this is a really great site! I’ve learned a lot from everyone’s post.
I was wondering if I could get some help. I am trying to write a formula that looks at a specific cell for a specific text, then looks at another cell for the value and then plugs in a dollar amount based on the value. It’s a tiering system which is looking at the text and based off of that text is trying to determine whether or not a payment is warranted. If I communicated this correctly, I am trying to say the following:
I am looking for the formula to look in cell “I4” for if it says “M”, “G” or “L”. If “G” is in “I4”, then look at “E4” and see what the value is. If the value of “E4” is 0-9 then “0”, if “E4” is 10-20 then “1” and if “E4” is 21 or greater then “3”. If “M” is in “I4”, then look at “E4” and see what the value is. If the value of “E4” is 0-119 then “0”, if “E4” is 200-250 then “1” and if “E4” is 251 or greater then “3”. If “L” is in “I4”, then look at “E4” and see what the value is. If the value of “E4” is 0-1000 then “0”, if “E4” is 1001-1200 then “1” and if “E4” is 1201 or greater then “3”.
This is what we initialed started with, but now we have to expand on it and develop a three tier system rather than it look for one value and place a value in it:
=IFERROR((IF(I4=”M”,COUNTIF(E4,”>=80″),IF(I4=”G”,COUNTIF(E4,”>=120″),IF(I4=”L”,COUNTIF(E4,”>=26″)))))*3,””).
I now need it to look for three different values for each letter and place a new value based off of that value.
I hope that makes sense.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!
If nothing else, happy holidays to everyone on this site!
I have this formula so far:
=IF(B4>=1000,1,"0")
But I want that if B4 is greater or equal to 1000 then it gets 1 point for every 1000 or 0 if less than 1000.
please help!!
Hi Khush,
Try this one: =IF(B4>=1000,INT(B4/1000),0)
if the time exceeded 31minutes the result should be "Missed" , if it did not exceeded result should be "ok"
=IF(I10>0,G10-I10,IF(U10>0,G10-U10,O10))
CAN U HELP ME IN THIS FORMULA
G10 IS A SUM OF 3 CELLS
i put a quantity 50 in A1
and A2 is total quantity A2 (A2 IS A SUM OF B1 AND A1)
i want if i put any quantity >0 in C1 or D1 then less the quantity from A2 if i dont put any quantity >0 then show me A1 quantity in A2
can any one help
How I do a formula in excel (column C) to calculate the grade of the persons using the following data.
A B C
Name Points Grade
X 57 F
Y 88 B
X 95 A
W 73 C
Grades
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = 0 - 59%
Hi luis,
Plz use below one and replay if u have any doubts...
=IF(AND(B2=90),"A",IF(AND(B2=80),"B",IF(AND(B2=70),"C",IF(AND(B2=60),"D","F"))))
HI... check below
=IF(AND(B2=90),"A",IF(AND(B2=80),"B",IF(AND(B2=70),"C",IF(AND(B2=60),"D","F"))))
Sorry to say that .. this is not pasting my orginal formaula,...
i have formula.. but unable to give... while pasting it missed to give some strings...
=IF(AND(B2=90),"A",IF(AND(B2=80),"B",IF(AND(B2=70),"C",IF(AND(B2=60),"D","F"))))
i have two sheets in the first sheet i have values and emp id and in the second sheet i want that if in the particular row of first sheet if it contains any value grater than 0 then show on the second sheet and if equal to and less than 0 then no show.
like
first sheet have two rows one of which is blank and in the second row value is shown so in the second sheet i want only that second row value
i think u understand what i want to say
i want add A1 cell and B1 cell but result display in B1 cell
i want and a1 cell and b1 cell but result display in b1 cell
I am trying use an IF and OR function. The formula below works perfectly, but the one below that (where the cell A1 is replaced with the words) doesn't work and comes back with #VALUE.
=IF(OR(L6="Research",A1),"","N/A")
=IF(OR(L6="Research","Sales"),"","N/A")
an anybody help??
I have been able to use your answer for Keith on 2nd December, thank you.
Answer:
=IF(OR(L6="Research",L6="Sales"),"","N/A")
Hi, I am trying to display the value in the next column if a value is found from a range. So, I have one workbook with three worksheets.
The first worksheet has a list of ID's numbers and vendor names. Vendor names would repeat in this sheet and the customer ID could repeat if they use more than one vendor.
The second sheet has a distinct list of the vendor names along with a tier rating (1,2,3,4).
I am attempting to lookup the vendor name from sheet 1, find it in the vendor name range from sheet 2, and when found, populate the tier rating.
To take it a step further, though I could do this function separately after I have the first done, I have a 3rd tier that includes a point value associated with the tier rating. I'll be looking to populate the point value for each row in sheet 1 based on their tier.
Any help is appreciated. I am caught on how to display the tier value since I am not simple doing a yes or no of whether the text is found, but needing to display corresponding information when the text is found.
I think I need to use a vlookup, but I am just not have any luck.
A little funny with my repeated post, but I did solve my issue of generating the tier using an index/match formula.
This is an awesome article. I'm having problems though getting it to work if the cell it is referencing is on another tab? For example, if B8 on Sheet 2 is a Y, then I want B9 on Sheet 3 to format with a Y or an N if the B8 on Sheet to is an N and blank if B8 is a blank.
I would like to take the value produced in Cell D28 via this formula =ABS(SUM(D12-D24)), if the Value in D12 is less than D24 and have it show on a second sheet called "Score" in cells G12-N12-U12-AB12-AI12. I am at my wits end. I am constructing a score sheet and the value in D28 is the handicap between the team averages listed in d12 and d24.
Hello, Miss... Can I use "IF" Formula for conditional formatting?
If value in A2 is GREATER than 5% of value of A1, then I want the cell (A2) to be Blue color.
If value in A2 is LESS than 5% of value of A1, then I want the cell (A2) to be Red color.
I already know conditional formatting... But can you please send me the correct formula for the above. Thanks.....
Hello,
Would u please tell me how to do the following in Excel
if the value in the cell greater than by 0.2 of the value of the other cell display as up regulated
if it is less than by 0.2 of the value of the same other cell display as down regulated
other wise diplay as normal.
thanks alot
Please help,
what's the formula for
IF CELL A = GP AND CELL B>3000 ,"H" IF 2000 ,"H" IF 2000 ,"H" IF <150,"L", "M"
THANK A LOT