Excel IF Function: Create Powerful Conditional Formulas (2024 Guide)

Excel’s IF function serves as the foundation for logical decision-making in spreadsheets. Whether you need to evaluate sales performance, categorize data, or create dynamic reports, mastering IF statements will help you build more intelligent and automated spreadsheets. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about using IF functions effectively in Excel.

Create Your First IF Formula in Excel

The IF function evaluates a condition and returns one value if the condition is true and another if it’s false. Let’s break down how to create your first IF formula.

Basic IF Formula Structure

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Command: Open Excel and create a new workbook

The basic syntax for an IF function is:

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=IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)

Let’s understand each component:

• logical_test: The condition you want to test (returns TRUE or FALSE)
• value_if_true: The result if the condition is TRUE
• value_if_false: The result if the condition is FALSE

Step-by-Step Example

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Command: Enter sample data in cells A2:A5 with different numbers

Let’s create a formula that checks if a number is greater than 100:

Cell	Formula	Description
B2	=IF(A2>100, “High”, “Low”)	Checks if value in A2 is greater than 100

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Command: Copy the formula to cells B3:B5

Tips for Success:

• Always verify your logical test independently before adding it to an IF function
• Use cell references instead of hard-coded values for flexibility
• Double-check your quotation marks when working with text values

Write IF Formulas with Text Values

Comparing text requires special attention to syntax and case sensitivity.

Text Comparison Example

Cell	Formula	Description
B2	=IF(A2=”Completed”, “Done”, “Pending”)	Checks if status is “Completed”

Important Rules for Text Comparisons:

• Text values must be enclosed in quotation marks
• Comparisons are case-sensitive by default
• Use UPPER, LOWER, or PROPER functions for case-insensitive comparisons

Combine Multiple Conditions in IF Statements

Complex decision-making often requires evaluating multiple conditions simultaneously.

Using AND Function

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Command: Create a formula using AND with IF

Cell	Formula	Description
C2	=IF(AND(A2>100, B2<200), “Within Range”, “Outside Range”)	Checks if value is between 100 and 200

Using OR Function

Cell	Formula	Description
D2	=IF(OR(A2=”Urgent”, A2=”High”), “Priority”, “Normal”)	Checks if status is either Urgent or High

Nested IF Functions

For multiple conditions with different outcomes:

Cell	Formula	Description
E2	=IF(A2>90,”A”,IF(A2>80,”B”,IF(A2>70,”C”,”F”))) Try the Free Spreadsheet Extension Over 500,000 Pros Are Raving About Stop exporting data manually. Sync data from your business systems into Google Sheets or Excel with Coefficient and set it on a refresh schedule. Get Started	Assigns letter grades based on scores

Common IF Function Examples

Practical Applications

1. Sales Commission Calculator:

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=IF(A2>50000, A2*0.15, A2*0.10)

1. Project Status Tracker:

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=IF(TODAY()>C2, “Overdue”, “On Track”)

1. Inventory Alert:

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=IF(A2<B2, “Reorder”, “Sufficient”)

Essential IF Function Components

Logical Operators

Operator	Description	Example
=	Equal to	=IF(A2=100, “Match”, “No Match”)
>	Greater than	=IF(A2>100, “High”, “Low”)
<	Less than	=IF(A2<100, “Low”, “High”)
>=	Greater than or equal	=IF(A2>=100, “Pass”, “Fail”)
<=	Less than or equal	=IF(A2<=100, “Within Budget”, “Over Budget”)
<>	Not equal	=IF(A2<>100, “Different”, “Same”)

Next Steps with IF Functions

Now that you understand IF functions, practice building formulas with your own data. Start simple and gradually increase complexity as you become more comfortable with the syntax and logic.

Want to take your Excel formulas to the next level? Coefficient helps you connect live data from your business systems directly to your spreadsheets. This means your IF functions will always work with the most current data, automatically updating as your source data changes.

Get started with Coefficient today and transform your static Excel formulas into dynamic, data-driven insights.