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

4802 comments

  1. A B

    JANUARY - 1830
    JANUARY - 1430
    FEBRUARY - 300
    MARCH - 200
    FEBRUARY 500

    I NEED A SUMMARY TABLE THROUGH IF CONDITIONS LIKE

    JANUARY = 3260
    FEBRUARY = 800
    MARCH = 500

    • Hello, Suresh,

      You can fulfill you task using our Consolidate tool which is a part of Consolidate Worksheets Wizard. You just need to select a sheet with your data table on step 1, choose the Sum function and specify to use the left column label for consolidation on step 2 of the Wizard, and finally choose where you'd like to place the results.

  2. how to creat if formula i am slect month and auto fill date in slect cell

  3. I want to use an =IF(AND(TODAY() function to highlight rows that represent current week data.

    Each row has A date for beginning and ending of the week so =IF(TODAY() falls between x and y date, I would like it to highlight that row but my formula isn't work.

    B26 is the beginning of the week date
    C26 is the ending of the week date

    =IF(AND(TODAY()>=B26,TODAY()<=C26),$A26:$Q26)

  4. I need help with a formula. Checking a TEXT field for one of 3 conditions:
    If cell = "Joe", display 3000
    If cell = "any other name" display 1500
    if cell is blank leave blank

    Something like this: =IF(F12="Joe",3000), If (F12 IsBlank 0, 1500)

    cant get it to work

  5. Hi, I want to apply formula for below chart.
    such as, if full test then will add 180 with report out date, if psr then will add 90 with report out date.pls help to share formula.

    REPORT OUT DATE VALID DATE COMMENTS
    16-Nov-17 14-Feb-18 PSR
    11-Aug-18 7-Feb-19 full gpt

  6. i would like to see the date when the number shows 0 in another worksheet. please help

  7. How can i use if to return the words for the range of figures as below
    From 1.00 To 2.40 Excellent
    Over 2.40 To 3.00 Very Good
    Over 3.00 To 3.60 Good
    Over 3.60 To 4.00 Fair
    Over 4.00 To 5.00 Poor

  8. i need a function that can return text for me for a range of figures
    to From 1.00 To 2.40 Excellent
    Over 2.40 To 3.00 Very Good
    Over 3.00 To 3.60 Good
    Over 3.60 To 4.00 Fair
    Over 4.00 To 5.00 Poor

    • Owen, I was able to use the following function:
      =IF(A2<=2.4,"Excellent",IF(A2<=3,"Very Good",IF(A2<=3.6,"Good",IF(A2<=4,"Fair",IF(A2<=5,"Poor")))))

      where "A2" is the cell being evaluated.

  9. Can I get IF THEN to work for multiple values? e.g. If A1 5, <10, then B3 = 1 etc. Its more than just A1/10, theres a range. If this function doesn't work, is there any other function I can use?

  10. Hello - i need help with a function.. will try and explain it below;

    i have 3 columns on my table and I would like the value in the 'Coat 2' column to equal the value (a paint name in this case) in the 'Coat 1' column - IF the value in the 'No/Coats' column is 2

    i.e.
    No/Coats Coat 1 Coat 2 Coat 3

    2 Acrylic Acrylic
    1

  11. I think you're looking for this:

    A1 is Start Date
    B1 is Finish Date
    C1 is where formula entered to display Started, Completed, or Blank

    =IF(A1&B1="","",IF(B1"","Completed",IF(A1"","Started")))

  12. Hi,

    If I need to make a calculation for a start date and a finish date to display completed when both cells have the dates entered, a blank cell if neither start/finish has dates entered and open if only start date is entered but finish is not.

    How would I do this, I've scoured the internet and I cannot resolve the issue.

    much appreciated

  13. do you know the formula that i can use if example, 121 is negative and i wrote (40 - 2 = 38) then how can i write (-121 - 2 = -123) the subtract sign to addition sign?

    • Hi!

      I am not sure I understand the question. In Excel, you enter negative numbers as usual by typing the minus sign in front of them. For example, you you type =-121-2 in a cell (with no spaces), and press the Enter key, you will get -123 as the result.

  14. MY IF CONDITION IS BASED ON TEXT...HOW CAN I PUT A FORMULA

      • Hey Svetlana

        so I am using a if statement for the task i am doing and it is not working. basically i have over 100 villas and some of the villas have multiple units in them. I have assets within those units so what i want to be able to do is i have a table that says villa 1 has units 1 and 2 and villa 2 has units 3 and 4 etc. If I have 10 assets in unit 1 and 5 assets in unit 3 what formula should i use to automatically choose the villa those assets are in

  15. Hi,

    On IF formula, I need to enter a range say 1% to 24%, I need "Won", then 25% to 50%, I need "Entered"

    I have typed =IF(N3>1%,<24%,"Won"....but it is not working..

    Please help..

    • I am learning too. But try this:

      =If(N3<=24,"WON",IF(N3<=50,"ENTERED"))

      OR

      =If(N3="","",if(N3<=24,"WON",IF(N3<=50,"ENTERED","")))
      This means, if N3 is blank, return blank in cell, if N3 is less than or equal to 24%, return "WON". If cell N3 is less than 50% return "ENTERED" and blank if above 50%

      Thank you.

      • Thank you David. I was able to adapt your formula for my sheet. =IF(E5="","",IF(E5>97,"Pass","Fail"))

        I was looking everywhere online for a formula that would indicate a pass or fail for a > or < Value and that could recognise blank cells. Couldn't find anything that would work until reading your post in this forum. You are a life saver!!!!

  16. I'm trying to get a formula that will calculate results for annual, monthly, fortnightly and weekly expenses. If A2 is Annual divide A1 by 12, but if Fortnightly multiply A1 by 26 then divide by 12 etc.

    • Hello,
      For me to understand the problem better, please send me a small sample workbook with your source data and the result you expect to get to support@ablebits.com. Please don't worry if you have confidential information there, we never disclose the data we get from our customers and delete it as soon as the problem is resolved.
      Please also don't forget to include the link to this comment into your email.
      I'll look into your task and try to help.

  17. Hi,

    Been searching but am unable to find a solution to my particular problem and would like to seek help as it's driving me nuts!

    Three conditions need to be met, but I'm unsure about the sequence and correct syntax:

    1. =IF(A1>A2,"PAYMENT LATE") - A1 & A2 contain dates. PAYMENT LATE displays in A3.

    Conditions 2 and 3 are nested together. I'm trying to determine that IF cell A1 is BLANK AND the date in A2 is > than today, then "PAYMENT LATE", otherwise, "PAYMENT ON TIME" to be displayed in A3.

    Hope you can help.

    • Hello,

      If I understand your task correctly, please try the following formula:

      =IF(OR(AND(ISBLANK(A1),A2>TODAY()),A1>A2),"PAYMENT LATE","PAYMENT ON TIME")

      Hope this will help.

  18. from a spreadsheet data i want to set if condition for setting a range if the data is > 5.3 than the value will be 5.3 if less then 5.3 than that would be as it was. pls let me know.

    regards

    kamal

    example

    7.2 5.3
    3.2 3.2

    • A B C B
      5.3

      Solution
      5.3
      Do this:
      =If(A1>5.3,5.3,A1). This means that if the value in cell A1 is greater than 5.3, return the value 5.3 or else (if below), return the value in cell A1.
      Iam learning too.
      Thanks

  19. Dear sir

    IN Excel i want to use If and Date functions formats
    example
    A B
    1 05/12/2017 if(A1=DD/MM/YYYY,"X","Y")
    2
    3 06/12/2017

    DD/MM/YYYY this may be any date formulae to executed
    kindly suggest
    Regards
    Ramesh

    • Hello,

      If I understand your task correctly, please try the following formula:

      =IF(CELL("format",A1)="D1","X","Y")

      Hope it will help you.

  20. Hi,

    Can we use IF formula with Text formula.
    e.g.if Cell A1 coming date 12/12/2017 like this.and in B1 we need a value. if A1 is friday (not mentioned in cell A1 only date is mentioned) so it is coming 30 otherwise 0. condition is for only friday. Please help me on this. Can you please reply me on this mail "mnayal98@gmail.com"

    • Hello,

      If I understand your task correctly, please try to enter the following formula in cell B1:

      =IF(WEEKDAY(A1,2)=5,30,0)

      Hope it will help you.

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