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 87. Total comments: 4830

  1. I have two sheets,
    1st sheet "A" column contains order no. in sequence and and "E" column contains Name of customer

    in 2nd sheet if I put any order No. in "C" column "D" column should show respective customer name of particular order No. from sheet 1.

    For eg.
    in sheet 1
    A22=2200 E22=Dettol Incorporation

    if I put 2200 in sheet 2 in c55 than D55 should show as E22 in sheet 1 ie. Dettol Incorporation
    Thanks

    1. Dear Svetlana
      i will put order no.in sheet 2 in sheet 2 in c column
      than in d column should show company name of respective order No. from sheet 1
      please help

      thanks

      1. got it, i found solution,

        =VLOOKUP(C55,Sheet1!A1:E500,5,"FALSE")

        thanks

  2. In cell E8 I have write =IF(G8="W",0,1)+IF(G8="WF",0,1)+IF(G8="I",0,1) to got 0 in E8 when I write in G8 W WF or I otherwise 1. But I get 2 in cell E8 When I write W WF or I. Tell me the mistake why it comes 2 instead of 1?

  3. Champs need ur help i am rookie with excel and cant fig out the following formulae to apply

    Cell A2 = if Cell A1 is less than Cell B1 then Value should be cell A1 Minus cell B1 else if cell A1 is greater than cell B2 then value should be A1 Minus B2 ,,, and if the value of A1 is between B1 and B2 then should just say "ok"

    Example A2 = where the answer will be
    A1 = 3.3 B1 =2 B2 =3 this case A2 should give an answer as 0.3 and the cell should go red or any other colour,, please somebody help out

    1. Dear Svetlana Cheusheva please reply waiting for the same, If you are busy it's okay take your time.

      and if cant be done please drop a message it cant be done so that i can drop this file of mine

      Have a good day

      1. Hello Manish,

        Assuming that the value in B2 is always greater than in B1, you can use this formula:

        =IF(AND(A1>=B1,A1<=B2),"OK", IF(A1<B1,A1-B1, IF(A1>B2,A1-B2,"")))

        To highlight A2 with color, select it and create a conditional formatting rule with this formula =ISNUMBER(A2)

        Here are the detailed steps to create formula-based conditional formatting rules.

        1. Dear Svetlana ,

          Thank you it works awesome ,,but i dont get a negative answer as in the answer is right but without a negative sign
          Example A2 = where the answer will be
          A1 = -3.3 B1 =2 B2 =3 this case A2 should give an answer as ( -0.3)

          Rest all is fine thank you for the help your ( Excel-lency)

          1. Dear Manish,

            In your original post, the first condition to check was as follows:

            "if Cell A1 is less than Cell B1 then Value should be cell A1 Minus cell B1".

            And it is exactly what the formula does: A1 (-3.3) is less than B1 (2), so the formula returns -5.3 (-3.3-2)

            If you expect a different result, then please list all of the conditions in the order they should be checked in the formula. (Nested IF's check conditions in the order they appear in a formula; if the first condition is met, other conditions are not checked).

  4. Please i have numbers from 1 to 10 representing several texts in a collumn. i need a logic that can help me sort the out once without writing the logic one cell to another.

  5. Hello,

    I am currently updating my company's Excel files. I wanted to add the day's date in a cell if a project is marked completed. ive' used the following formula: =IF(ISTEXT(U:U), NOW(), ("")). it worked but I am facing a problem. the projects that were marked completed had the date in the cells next to them but the dates keep changing everyday. can you please help me with telling me the right formula to add an unchanging date using IF function?

    Thank you,
    Maan

    Reply

  6. Hi, Kindly help me how to settle this ;

    cell A1 is 55, and eveyday change its value
    cell B1 is the Day
    cell C1 is to copy the A1 at that day.

    now the next day B2, A1 is 70 , so how can I automatically change the C1 value to 70 ??

    Thanks in Advanced

  7. Hello,

    Can you tell me, how cell can refer to a range with equal sign, in such a formula (which is working):
    "If(B1=C1:C300;E1:E300;0)

    Thank you in advance!

  8. Hi, I need a formula for one cell:
    IF A2 has a value between 101-122, then text "below average"
    IF A2 has a value between 123-144, then text "average"
    IF A2 has a value between 145-200, then text "above average"
    IF A2 has a value between 201-250, then text "not acceptable"

    Thank you.

    1. Hi Maria,

      You can use this formula:

      =IF(A2>200,"not acceptable", IF(A2>144,"above average", IF(A2>122,"average", IF(A2>100,"below average",""))))

  9. ok I am trying to create a score chart. Where the same cell returns a different value based on what is in that cell. if someone keys a 0 it returns a 5, if a 1 or 2 it returns a 4, if a 3 or 4 it returns a 3. something along the lines of

    =if(Q5=0,5),if(Q5=1,4),if(Q5=2,4)...

    thank you

    1. oh I got it...

      =IF(Q38=0,5,IF(Q38=1,4,IF(Q38=2,4,IF(Q38=3,3,IF(Q38=4,3,IF(Q38=5,2,IF(Q38=6,2,IF(Q38>=7,1,""))))))))

  10. Hi,

    I wanted use the formula with more than one logical test. what should I do. how to do so.

    Let's say. If,a1="Thursday","OFF","Working:)

    Apart from Thursday I also wanted to use Friday. What can I use to do so.

    1. Hi Tanveer,

      If you want to display "OFF" for Thursday and Friday, you can use the following formula:

      =IF(OR(A1="Thursday",A1="Friday"), "OFF", "Working")

      If you are looking for something different, please clarify.

      1. How to pay you thanks,

        you were awesome.

        Yes that is what I meant and it is working.

        Thank you very much for your help.

        Have a good one.

  11. Hi,

    Can you help me on below query.

    I have have Holiday calendar till 2060 and i want to change weekend holiday to Monday (if holiday falls on either Saturday or sunday)

    Question Answer should be
    01-May-16 Sunday 02-May-16 Monday
    23-Oct-16 Sunday 24-Oct-16 Monday
    10-Dec-16 Saturday 12-Dec-16 Monday

  12. Please solve the below problem:
    Column A1 to A4 contains: 3 or 2a or 2b or 1.

    Formula: Column B1 to B4 require: IF(A1=3,100, IF(A1=2a,50, IF(A1=2b,25, IF(A1=1,0)))

    1. Hello Nandu,

      Your formula is correct except that text strings like "2a" should be enclosed in double quotes:

      =IF(A1=3, 100, IF(A1="2a", 50, IF(A1="2b", 25, IF(A1=1, 0, ""))))

  13. how can change 1 is (1st Page),3 is (3rd Page),5 is (5th Page),8,12,16,20,24 is (Last Page),2,4,6 is (others Page)

  14. Hi,

    Please for eg, A2 = A3 result should = to True, but it should automatically be colour coded as well, if possible how so?

  15. please,

    =IF(and($M$2,$N$2="All",SUMIFS(Data!AF:AF,Data!E:E,KPI!C5)
    ,if(and($N$2="All",KPI!$M$2"All",SUMIFS(Data!AF:AF,Data!E:E,KPI!C5,Data!AH:AH,$M$2)
    ,if(and($N$2"All",KPI!$M$2="All",SUMIFS(Data!AF:AF,Data!E:E,KPI!C5,Data!Ai:Ai,$n$2)
    ,IF(and($M$2,$N$2"All",SUMIFS(Data!AF:AF,Data!E:E,KPI!C5,Data!AH:AH,$M$2,Data!Ai:Ai,$n$2)

  16. join both of them

    IF($N$2="All",SUMIFS(Data!AF:AF,Data!E:E,KPI!C5),(SUMIFS(Data!AF:AF,Data!E:E,KPI!C5,Data!AI:AI,$N$2)))

  17. Hi,

    please I have 2 drop list one for the for Year in cell (M2)(all, 2013-2016),

    =IF($M$2="All",SUMIFS(Data!AF:AF,Data!E:E,KPI!C5),(SUMIFS(Data!AF:AF,Data!E:E,KPI!C5,Data!AH:AH,$M$2)))

    I need to apply other one for Activity in Cell (N2) it
    please reply to me to send you my file

  18. Hi guys... can some one please help me out ... I m new to excel...
    i have set of Time and i wanted to categorise them into each one hour...
    for Example -

    Time
    X = 1:13 AM
    X = 2:15 AM
    X = 6:19 AM
    X = 7:15 AM

    if my X = 1:13 AM time is falling between range of 1:00 AM to 1:59 AM then the value should return the category as "1 AM to 1:59 AM" , if my X = 2:15 AM time is falling between range of 2:00 AM to 2:59 AM then the value should return the category as "2 AM to 2:59 AM" .........

    Categories are below -

    1 AM to 1:59 AM
    2 AM to 2:59 AM
    3 AM to 3:59 AM
    4 AM to 4:59 AM
    5 AM to 5:59 AM
    6 AM to 6:59 AM
    7 AM to 7:59 AM
    8 AM to 8:59 AM
    9 AM to 9:59 AM
    10 AM to 10:59 AM
    11 AM to 11:59 AM
    12 AM to 12:59 AM

    please help me to formulate the function

  19. I want to know about one formula, the details are as below;

    col A - Location
    Col b - Salary
    col c - ratings
    col d - ?

    in column d, I want a formula that some selected location will fall under A group and the percentage of increment given will be 7 and the rest will fall under B group and the percentage of increment given will be 5. Can you think of a formula for the above.

  20. Hello I am trying to create a worksheet with employees names in column B (which I choose daily from a validation list) when I click on the names I want their internal rate to populate in column J and external rate to populate in column J automatically-I have these names & rates on a separate sheet and right now am using the drop down list to do it manually-there must be a better way... Can this be done?

    1. Sorry I meant internal rate in column G and externalrate in column J

  21. Hi, can someone help me with an IF formula as follows:

    If Cell C17 contains "PASS", and Cell C30 contains "PASS", then PASS should be returned, if not, FAIL should be returned.

    1. Hi May,

      What you need is an If formula with nested AND like this:
      =IF(AND(C17="PASS", C30="PASS"), "PASS", "FAIL")

  22. How can get a formula to calculate the mark up on an item based on the category code. We have 3000 items and 40 categories. We have a master list on a separate worksheet for the categories with their markup. I want to markup the cost based on the category. For example:
    Worksheet #1 Worksheet #2
    Category Cost Sell Price Category Markup
    SNA 10.00 BOT 1.5
    CAP 15.00 SNA 1.8
    CAP 1.6

    I can use an IF formula, but I'm hoping there is something quicker as opposed to typing a 40 item nested IF formula. Thanks.

  23. hi , I am trying to write a nested formula. the formula I am using is
    =if(c4="jose","good",or(c4="jesus","better",""))
    The problem that I am running into is, that it reads the first nested formula but it will not read the second. can you help me with this formula. or recommend another

    1. Hi Jesse,

      You don't need OR in nested IF's:

      =IF(C4="jose", "good", IF(C4="jesus","better",""))

      1. thanks

  24. Hi,

    I am using an IF statement to check if 2 cells match.

    However where 1 cell is blank (not yet populated) it will reflect as "same"

    Can I use isblank in combination to bring back a blank cell if both referenced cells aren't populated.

    =IF(AC118"",(AC118=P118,"SAME","CHANGE"), "")

    1. Hi!

      Try this formula:

      =IF(AND(AC118="", P118=""), "", IF(AC118=P118,"SAME","CHANGE"))

  25. Hi,

    Could somebody help me with this issue:

    I'd would like a formula where this condition is met.

    A1 B1 C1 D1
    A2 B2 C2 D2
    A3 B3 C3 D3
    A4 B4 C4 D4

    The formula for all cells in column A: if the cell below is empty return to the first cell in column D. So for example if cell A5 is empty I want the value of D1. But also A6 is empty so i want the value of D2. Can sb help me with this?

    Thanks you in advance

    Nicolas

  26. i'M SORRY I meant using the today statement...

  27. I need to create a if formula to populate an statement for this:

    5/29/16 10:25 PM

    I need to collect any data that if before today at 3:00 pm

    any help is welcome,

    Thanks !

  28. =IF(N8:N19="Completed","Yes","No")

    i have tried this to test list of cells which are updated thru a data validation list its not working please anyone can help.

    1. The list of Data validation referes like this

      Completed , in progress , on hold , new

      these are the four validation can be selected now i want this above formula to work to tell me once are completed.

      =IF(N8:N19="Completed","Yes","No")

      i have tried this to test list of cells which are updated thru a data validation list its not working please anyone can help.

  29. Formula below wont halve the figure as it should
    result when c33 is 2 is 100%. When c33 is 0 the result is only changing to 95%
    =IF(C33="0", R16/2, R16)

  30. hi i need a follow for below.

    = 90% 1%
    >= 100% 1.30%
    >= 110% 1.50%
    >= 115% 1.75%

    thank you

  31. Hi.
    I need a formula
    Example
    Alpha123
    After a formula

    Cell-1.Alpha
    Cells -2..123

  32. Hi I'm setting up a stores system, I have set figures in the min & max and a stock level that can be adjusted by a user.
    Min is in row G13, Max is in row I13, Stock level is in row K13.

    I need help to put a formula in L13 to say "min stock" or "stock ok" or "no stock"
    So when the stock level in K13 is the same as the min level in G13 it says "min stock", if stock level in K13 is greater than min level in G13 it says "stock ok", if the stock level in K13 is zero it says "no stock".
    Thank You

  33. I need formula, if cell a1 is (3), cell b1 should be insert text "good"

    1. hi Zvonko,

      =if(A1=3,"good","")

  34. I have a unit quantity in cells B5-J5.
    I have prices in cells B6-J6.
    When someone enters YES in cells B8-J8, then cell K8 should total units booked, but not allow units to exceed a quantity of 10.
    Cell L8 should total row 6 dollar value of cells with a yes placed in corresponding row (in this case row 8) from values in B6-J6.

    Thank You!

  35. sorry got working with

    =IF(ISBLANK(AE5), TODAY()-M5,AM5-M5)

    now just the colouring..?

    1. Select the column(s) you want to color excluding header rows, and create a conditional formatting rule with the below formula (which checks if a cell in column AE is blank):
      =$AE5=""

      The detailed steps to create a formula-based rule can be found here.

  36. also if using todays date due to null can this appear in red so know not complete?

  37. Hello, I want AM5 to =AE5-M5 to count days between to dates. If AE5 null I want it to count to todays date. I can't get my logic to fit logic!!

  38. Hi,

    Please help me for getting the formula for below

    If B1 have some date mentioned then A1 has to come delivered
    if B1 dont have date it sould come in transit

    1. Hello Bahubali,

      Try this one:

      =IF(B1="", "in transit", "delivered")

  39. hi,

    i have a issue in excel for using a formula. my problem is sum of range in a column.for example, a table contains data describe below:-
    sr.no. class student name marks
    1 sixth parmod 166
    2 sixth kamal 140
    3 sixth parmod 250
    4 seventh kamal 270
    5 seventh parmod 180
    i want the sum of parmod marks of six th class. how and which formula is used for it......

    please help
    i have to find parmod marks of class sixth

    1. i used it but something wrong.
      =if(b:b="sixth",if(c:c="parmod",sumif(c:c,"parmod",d:d)))

      1. Hello Parmod,

        To conditionally sum cells, use SUMIF or SUMIFS function to sum with one or several criteria, respectively.

        In your case, you can use this formula:
        =SUMIFS(D:D,C:C, "parmod",B:B, "sixth")

        Where column D contains marks, C - names, and B - classes.

  40. Hi,
    ordered qty,Produced qty ,bal to produce qty, ready for delivery qty, and delivered qty, delivery date .How can I follow up before one week of deadline ?
    And could you please provide me a gantt chart to solve this ?

  41. In a purchasing department, there will always be a lot of suppliers to handle and a lot of POs to make. I have created a drop down box of the list of suppliers, and what formula can i use that if i selected a supplier name, the address and the vedor code will appear on a different cell.

    sample is if i choose Supplier A in A11, address will appear in A12 and vendor code will appear in M7

    hope you will be able to help me.

    Thanks!

    JUBI

  42. Hi. I need to write a formula in one cell to say "if we have market data (cell L10), use the market data. If not, check to see whether the average company rates fall between the preferred and floor rates.

    Thank you!

  43. HI,

    ACTUALLY I REQUIRED FORMULA FOR KNOWING PRESENT STATUS OF ACTIVITY. WE UPDATES ACTIVITIES DATE WISE IN A SHEET AND OTHER SHEET WE UPDATE ALL BRIDGES NO. NOW I AM LOOKING FOR THAT MY LAST ACTIVITIES OF BRIDGES IS AUTOMATICALLY UPDATE IN OTHER SHEET.

    REGARDS,

    KUNDAN

  44. Hi. Iam trying to calculate a formula which calculates using 2 different prices.
    One column is old price, and second is new price.
    I need excel to calculate using the only new price in second column which is originally empty, whenever a value present. Can anyone help?

    Thanks
    Dandy

  45. Thanks Svetlana, for the reply

  46. Hi,

    I have a situation where i want to use the IF formula. Column A has dates. column B has Carpet area of a flat. Column C has additions of areas such as addition of all areas above. Now, what i want in Column D is if the date is 31-March-16 or less than that, the column D should not add the areas and if it is mote than 31-Mar-16, the it should add the column above. Example is as below:---

    A B C D
    31-Mar-16 1960 1960 1960
    31-Mar-16 1960 3920 1960
    31-Mar-16 1960 5880 1960
    01-Apr-16 1960 7840 3920
    05-Apr-16 1960 9800 5880

  47. Hello, I am trying to reference a cell in another sheet that will change based on the date. Sheet 1 has 3 cells that I use to count the number of tasks completed in a day. Sheet 2 is a tally for each day, so for the 5/20 row on sheet 2, I would want the values from the 3 cells on sheet 1 to flow to that row when the today's date is 5/20. On 5/23, I would want the same cells from sheet 1 to flow to the 5/23 row on sheet 2. I tried the following function: =IF(TODAY=A15,Sheet1!B2,0) where A15 is the date (5/20/16 in today's case) but I get the #NAME? error. Thanks.

  48. Hi Svetlana

    Hi have a formula that I'm struggling with. Can you please assist
    =IF(D9:Q9>0,(D4:Q4="PH")+(D9:Q9))
    Basically I want my Public Holiday column to add the hours in Row 9 only if Row 4 has the value PH

    WAGES
    F/Night: 26/3/2016 - 08/04/16
    Hours + Days WORK PAYMENTS
    PH PH
    SHIFT PAY NAME 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 PER Nor Over Sun P/H Sick Fam Res Absent Leave
    # # SA SO MA DI WO TH FR SA SO MA DI WO TH FR F/NIGHT 1x 1.5x 1.5x 2x 1x 1x 0 1x
    TEAM A
    1 229 Oscar Matemane Day Day Night Day Day Day Off off Off Day Day Day Day Absent
    Hours 10 10 9 11 11 11 0 0 0 11 11 11 11 FALSE 106 #VALUE! 10 #VALUE!

  49. I have a data validation list column (in cell O2) with the following pull down options: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administration, Culture, PPE. If Elimination is selected, I would like the adjacent cell to return the value 0.1. If Substitution is selected, the adjacent cell should have the value 0.3. Other values for remaining text are 0.5, 0.75, 0.8, and 0.9.

    If you can figure this out you will be my forever hero!

    1. Here i have one question..Dont know its possible with excel or not..If any one have idea than tell me..
      I have data validation list in cell D5 with the drop down options: Residential , Commercial..I have another drop down list in E5 with options Flat , Bunglow , Shop , Office ...If i select Residential in D5 then in cell E5 it shows only 2 option Flat , Bunglow..Dont show me another options like Shop , Office..

  50. Hello!

    I'm trying to make a formula based off a date column.
    Ideally, I would like to have a separate column populate a 'blank' or "Follow UP" based on whether or not the date is older than 15 days.

    I tried =IF(C1-TODAY()>15,"FOLLOW UP","") but obviously it did not work.

    Am I on the right track?

    1. Hello Claire,

      You were almost there! :)

      =IF(TODAY()-C1>15,"FOLLOW UP","")

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