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Excel IF Formula

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=IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false)

Quick context

  • Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.
  • Use when you need consistent, auditable results.
  • Copy the snippet above and adjust only the ranges.

When to use

Learn how to use the Excel IF Formula.

Why you need this

The foundational logic function in Excel. It checks a condition and returns one value if satisfied, and another logic if not.

Disclaimer: While we strive for accuracy, these formulas are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Please verify all results before use.

Common Mistakes

  • Not closing parentheses correctly. Nested IF statements often result in mismatched parentheses, causing errors or unexpected behavior.
  • Using text without quotes. Excel interprets unquoted text as a named range or function. Always wrap text values like "Yes" or "No" in double quotes.

Best Practices

  • Use IFS for more than 3 conditions. Deeply nested IF statements are hard to read and debug. The IFS function is cleaner and easier to maintain.
  • Keep logic simple. Break down complex logic into multiple helper columns instead of creating one massive 'mega-formula'.

Scalability Warning

Nested IF statements become unreadable spaghetti code.

See logic Alternatives