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)
4802 comments
Hello,
I have two columns of data and need to check Column A and then change the value to column B. like if the value is more than 5 in column A then corresponding value in column B should be 500.
Kindly help.
I am trying to do a calculation to get the AOV from my transactions and revenue. In my pivot table I have blank cells and cells with o in them that I need to ignore so I don't get errors and I have tried this but it is not correct, please help
=IF(AND(ISBLANK(K5), "", K5/K22, IF(AND((K5,K5/K22,""))
Amy:
Are you trying to count the entries or sum them.
Why aren't you using COUNT, COUNTA, COUNTIF, COUNTIFS, SUMIF, SUMIFS or something similar?
Hi.. Please solve the problem
If i input G16 then auto count H16, I16 is subtract of G16, H16 and finally J16 would be count on H16 with three fixed after numerical digit .20, .43 .53
G16 H16 I16 J16
Gross Tare Net Bag Size
22.20 0.20 22 small bag
Please note that all calculation depends on G16 Its mean gross will be be before decimal are flexible after decimal are fix (for example gross are may be 19.20, 23.2, 37.2, 28.2 28.43, 29.43, 29.5, 47.5 etc.)
G16 (input double numerical digit e.g. 15.20 & 15.5)
=G16-TRUNC(G16)
=H16-I16
=IF(H16=0.5,"large bag",IF(H16=0.43,"medium bag",IF(H16=0.2,"small bag","-")))
Hi,
I would like to know a formula for this example:
If a current price in cell B10 is 2,00 and new price in cell C10 is 1,00 I will get a cost impact in cell D10 of -1,00. The price has decreased.
But if both cells (B10 and C10) are empty I do not want 0,00 (zero) in cell D10, I need the cell to be empty.
Thanks!
Lina:
I think this is what you want in D10:
=IF(B10>0,C10-B10,"")
Hi, I need a help. I have been getting Excal report form one of the vender. Like one column has two different format date and time. So I need to change this into one format.
Report Time
05/03/2018 11:19
02/03/2018 6:07
12/02/2018 8:26
24-04-18 16:34
26-01-18 10:21
25-04-18 18:07
Need to change this into format "dd/mm/yyyy h:mm:ss"
Hi! I'm needing to add IF formula in TRUNC calculated numerical digit. Everything is OK but when i input in G16 double numeric digit (example: 25.20) small bag condition its not work properly. please solve the problem.
G16 (input double digit numerical value 25.20 is not working or 7.20 is working)
=G16-TRUNC(G16)
=IF(H16=0.5,"large bag",IF(H16=0.43,"medium bag",IF(H16=0.2,"small bag","-")))
Neetu:
I don't know what is wrong on your end, but this formula works fine on my practice sheet.
I can look at the other issue if you can tell me how H16 is related to the values in G16 and how H16 and I16 are related.
For example, If G16 is 25.2 then H16 is .5 also if H16 is .5 then I16 is 7.
I want to input in
for examole
G16 25.2 then H16 is 0.2 and I16 is 25.00 J16 is "small bag"
G16 25.43 then H16 is 0.43 and I16 is 25.00 J16 is "medium bag"
G16 25.50 then H16 is 0.50 and I16 is 25.00 J16 is "large bag"
=G16-TRUNC(G16)
=H16-I16
=IF(H16=0.5,"large bag",IF(H16=0.43,"medium bag",IF(H16=0.2,"small bag","-")))
this is the relationship but i am unable to establish the small bag relation that is 0.20. J16, H16 & I16 autofill
Please solve the problem.
Neetu:
I think this should get you what you're after.
Enter this into H16: =IF(G16=25.2,0.2,IF(G16=25.43,0.43,IF(G16=25.5,0.5,"-")))
Enter this into I16: =IF(G16=25.2,25,IF(G16=25.43,25,IF(G16=25.5,25,"-")))
Enter this into J16: =IF(G16=25.2,"Small Bag",IF(G16=25.43,"Medium Bag",IF(G16=25.5,"Large Bag","-")))
I know the formula in I16 just repeats the "25" value, but if you need to change the values the formula is in place.
Than you for cooperation but the actual count which tare is .20 will count as small bag, .43 as medium bag & .50 as large bag. On the other hand the gross will be as open mode and mentioned all three tare value would be fixed. Its mean gross will be be before decimal as flexible after decimal are fix (for example gross are may be 19.20, 23.2, 37.2, 28.2 28.43, 29.43, 29.5, 47.5 etc.
If i input G16 then auto count H16 and finally J16 would be count on H16. please note that all calculation depends on G16
G16 H16 I16 J16
Gross Tare Net Bag Size
Dear Sir,
there are three words in data validation list( CSL,CST,CFL), I WANT TO USE A FORMULA TO WITH RIGHT FUNCTION TO SHOW(IF RIGHT TWO WORD 'SL' THEN SHOW 'SOLID', IF 'ST' THEN 'STRANDED', 'IF; 'FL' THEN FLEXIBLE.
Veeresh:
Can you clear this up for me? Does the data validation return CSL,CST or CFL or does it return SL,ST or FL? If not why not? Why not have one set or the other?
If it returns SL,ST or FL the answer is: Where the return cell is A64 it looks like this:
=IF(A64="SL","Solid",IF(A64="FL","Flexible",IF(A64="ST","Stranded","NOT IN LIST")))
If it returns CSL,CST or CFL the answer is: Where the return cell is A64 it looks like this:
=IF(A64="CSL","Solid",IF(A64="CFL","Flexible",IF(A64="CST","Stranded","NOT IN LIST")))
Hi, good evening,
I want to use IF function in TRUNC calculated function. If i input the numeric digit 7.20 it's OK but double numeric digit (ex. 25.20) is not work properly (only 0.20). Please solve the problem.
Thanks & regards
neetu
G16
=G16-TRUNC(G16)
=IF(H16=0.5,"large bag",IF(H16=0.43,"medium bag",IF(H16=0.2,"small bag","-")))
Neetu:
Why do you want to use TRUNC? That function truncates a number to an integer by removing the fractional part of the number. So, TRUNC(4.3) returns 4 and it's 4 for ever more.
Are you trying to display a number? Maybe round off a number? Can you use ROUND or format the cell that holds the end result?
Is G16 formatted as a number or text? Maybe TRIM?
What I'm suggesting is that there are a number of methods you can use to display a number in the format you want without removing the data. Because, once the data is gone, it's gone.
actually I need to calculation on after decimal number in 3 fixed value 0.50, 0.43 & 0.20
G16
=G16-TRUNC(G16)
=IF(H16=0.5,"large bag",IF(H16=0.43,"medium bag",IF(H16=0.2,"small bag","-")))
Is this correct formula? please help.
thank u.
Neetu:
The formula you have here works great. When you input the value, it returns the text you want. I'm still not clear on why you need to use the TRUNC function.
I don't understand what you want to do with the fixed values. What type of calculation do you want to do with them?
Good Morning! I just try to prepare local invoice in excel sheet. where tare value is fixed bag weight (0.50, 0.43 & 0.20). Actually I want to in the sheet input area only G16 (with double digit numerical value) other cell are should be auto calculated. this is the matter. if i use wrong formula then please help me with new formula. TRUNC is not important.
G16 H16 I16 J16
Gross Tare Net Bag Size
17.20 0.20 7.00 small bag
Neetu:
The values in H16,I16 and J16 can be auto-filled if Excel knows the relationship between the cells.
For example, when H16 is ".2" then J16 is filled with "Small Bag". This is working on my practice sheet now.
I can help you with this question more completely if you tell me what the relationship is between these cells. For example, if G16 is "17.2" is H16 ".2" and if H16 is ".2" is I16 "7"? Show me the relationships. It doesn't have to be in a formula.
G16 (input double digit numerical value 25.20 is not working or 7.20 is working)
=G16-TRUNC(G16)
=IF(H16=0.5,"large bag",IF(H16=0.43,"medium bag",IF(H16=0.2,"small bag","-")))
this is the relationship but i am unable to establish the small bag relation that is 0.20.
for example:
my data from number of line
so eash 1 page have below or =<20 line
i have 9282 name
so every 1 page must below or =<20
1st situation is if i use divide 9282/20 = 464.1 same like 465 page
2nd situation is if i use divide 1/20 =0.05 same like 1 page
So want kind of formula i can use IF?
Hi can you solve this for me please.
If(J4>J3,J4-J3,0) but If(J4=Blank of 0,0) and if(J3-blank or 0,0.
it mean If J4>J3 calculate J4-J3 but if J3 or J4 = Blank or 0 return to 0.
thank before hand.
Sarith:
It appears as if you've answered your own question. The formula is:
=If(J4>J3,J4-J3,0)
in a row ex. a2,a3,a4,a5,a6,a7,a8,a9,a10. out of this 1 cell contain a number "0"(a2=1,a3=1,a4=1,a5=1,a6=0). the formula i need is to know when one of the row is zero it need to pickup and tell there`s a zero in row a2___a10
Sathi:
Why not just highlight the cells that contain a "0"?
Select the cells, go to Format, then Conditional Formatting.
In the conditional formatting window select the "Cell Vale is Equal to 0" in the three cells then click the Format button and choose a pattern you like and OK out to the sheet.
I am looking for a formula where:
column b row 193= minimum
column b row 194= maximum
if b194 is greater than b193 then b198 must be populated with a specific note and validated in another worksheet.
If note matched, passed; otherwise failed.
if there is no range found between b193 and 194; 198 should be blank.
I would really appreciate any inputs and help.
mary
Hello, I am trying to update a spreadsheet that was created by an old director. They have an area within the spreadsheet that has a column for goals, and then the monthly figures to in the columns next to it. The monthly number has either a checkmark, an exclamation point, or an x before the number to indicate if it is within goal. For example: Goal = 94% but the April column for that specific goal is 89%, this would read an 'X 89%' in the applicable cell. But the characters are also in color, so it is not just a letter or symbol typed in. When going in the cell, i cant even see any what if statements or anything other than the attached data to another sheet with in the spreadsheet. I hope this makes sense. Does anyone know how to enter a formula into a cell in order to get these characters in there? Thanks so much.
Megan:
To start, it might be beneficial if you can see the formulas and their respective cell references. There is a good description of how to accomplish this in the various versions of Excel here on AbleBits.
In the search box type "show formulas".
Once this is done you might be able to figure this out on your own, but if not write back and someone can probably help.
Hi,
can any one help me to solve my following issue,
i have a students register numbers, based on these numbers i need to return a thee numbers in another excel sheet.if any break on these register numbers i need to return a blank value on excel sheet, and from next cell it will continue based on numbers.
reference No Excel Sheet
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
9 it should be blank cell (bcoz break between 7 & 9)
9
please tell me the solution as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance.
Very useful. Thank you so much.
Is an If Then appropriate to highlight a cell or row that is blank when based off whats in the adjacent cell there should be a number there, for example:
if F1 is occupied and D1 is blank, Highlight that row.
or if D1 is occupied and F1 is blank Highlight that row.
what would that formula look like and can it be applied to an entire sheet?
Sales 100% 90-99 89-80 70-79 <70
Target
<80% 2.10% 1.9% 1.7% 1.3% 1.1%
<89% 2.40% 2.2% 1.9% 1.4% 1.2%
<99% 2.70% 2.4% 2.2% 1.6% 1.4%
100% 3.00% 2.7% 2.4% 1.8% 1.5%
106% 4.50% 4.1% 3.6% 2.7% 2.3%
i want to create a incentive sheet
if sales target is less then 80% and avg selling price is <70% then value cell*with 1.1
i am trying to calculate via this formula but the result shown false
=IF(AND(E8<80%,E9<70%),D12*N15,IF(AND(E8<90%,E9<70%),D12*N16))
plz correct it
Faisal:
I've looked at you question off and on for a couple of days and because of the formula you included it's still not clear to me what you're after.
However, if what you want to accomplish is this:
if sales target is less then 80% and avg selling price is <70% then value cell*with 1.1
the formula would look like this:
=IF(AND(A196<80%,A197=70%),A198*1.1,"Something Else")
If this is what you want, replace the "A" cell addresses with the addresses where your data is stored.
This formula says: If the value in cell A196 is "<80%" and the value in cell A197 is "70%" then multiply the value in cell A198 times 1.1 otherwise display "Something Else".
Thanks a bunch! I had issues with using the IF function on other examples because it depends on your version of excel. I'm using 2004 I believe and this example worked perfectly for me! Cheers :)
I am adding 2 cells together. Sometimes one or the other cell is blank and the =sum(a1+b1) formula doesn't bring back a value. if cell b1 is blank then return cell a1 value,or if cell a1 is blank then return cell b1 value, otherwise sum a1+b1
Leni:
This should work: =SUMIF(A5:B5,">0")
Where the numbers are in A5 and B5 and are greater than zero.
Asjath:
This type of situation calls for the VLOOKUP function.
In your case in Sheet 2 B1 enter this:
=VLOOKUP(A1,Sheet1!A1:B3,2,FALSE)
Where the data you want to lookup is in Sheet 1 cells A1:B3