Returns one value if a condition you specify evaluates to TRUE and another value if it evaluates to FALSE.
Use IF to conduct conditional tests on values and formulas.
Syntax
IF(
logical_test,
value_if_true,value_if_false)
Logical_test is any value or expression that can be evaluated to TRUE or FALSE. For example, A10=100 is a logical expression; if the value in cell A10 is equal to 100, the expression evaluates to TRUE. Otherwise, the expression evaluates to FALSE. This argument can use any
comparison calculation operator.
Value_if_true is the value that is returned if logical_test is TRUE. For example, if this argument is the text string "Within budget" and the logical_test argument evaluates to TRUE, then the IF function displays the text "Within budget". If logical_test is TRUE and value_if_true is blank, this argument returns 0 (zero). To display the word TRUE, use the logical value TRUE for this argument. Value_if_true can be another formula.
Value_if_false is the value that is returned if logical_test is FALSE. For example, if this argument is the text string "Over budget" and the logical_test argument evaluates to FALSE, then the IF function displays the text "Over budget". If logical_test is FALSE and value_if_false is omitted, (that is, after value_if_true, there is no comma), then the logical value FALSE is returned. If logical_test is FALSE and value_if_false is blank (that is, after value_if_true, there is a comma followed by the closing parenthesis), then the value 0 (zero) is returned. Value_if_false can be another formula.
Remarks
- Up to seven IF functions can be nested as value_if_true and value_if_false arguments to construct more elaborate tests. See the last of the following examples.
- When the value_if_true and value_if_false arguments are evaluated, IF returns the value returned by those statements.
- If any of the arguments to IF are arrays, every element of the array is evaluated when the IF statement is carried out.
- Microsoft Excel provides additional functions that can be used to analyze your data based on a condition. For example, to count the number of occurrences of a string of text or a number within a range of cells, use the COUNTIF worksheet function. To calculate a sum based on a string of text or a number within a range, use the SUMIF worksheet function. Learn about calculating a value based on a condition.
Example 1
The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.
Formula | Description (Result) |
=IF(A2<=100,"Within budget","Over budget") | If the number above is less than or equal to 100, then the formula displays "Within budget". Otherwise, the function displays "Over budget" (Within budget) |
=IF(A2=100,SUM(B5:B15),"") | If the number above is 100, then the range B5:B15 is calculated. Otherwise, empty text ("") is returned () |
|
Example 2
The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.
|
A | B |
Actual Expenses | Predicted Expenses |
1500 | 900 |
500 | 900 |
500 | 925 |
|
Formula | Description (Result) |
=IF(A2>B2,"Over Budget","OK") | Checks whether the first row is over budget (Over Budget) |
=IF(A3>B3,"Over Budget","OK") | Checks whether the second row is over budget (OK) |
|
Example 3