IF Function Summary
Function Type: Logical
The IF function returns one value if a logical expression is `TRUE` and another if it is `FALSE`.
IF Function Purpose
IF function is a logical function that enables your formulas to return values dependent if the IF statement is true or false.
IF Function Syntax
Elements of the function
=IF(logical_expression, value_if_true, value_if_false)- Function name
- logical_expression- [Required] The expression or cell reference to be tested if true or false
- value_if_true- [Required] The value the function returns if logical_expression is true
- value_if_false- [Required] The value the function returns if logical_expression is false
Arguments of the function
The IF function returns a value depending if the logical_expression is true or false.
IF Notes
- Ensure that value_if_true and value_if_false are provided in the correct order.
- Nesting IF functions can expand your formula, review our practice sheet. IFS function is a more efficient way to include multiple if statements. However, nesting functions is a concept that is used throughout this site to expand our functions.
- Leaving the value_if_true or the value_if_false empty in your function will return nothing leaving the cell empty if the logical expression is set to return that value.
=IF(A7="",,"Not Blank Cell")
IF Example Spreadsheet
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Windows | Mac |
| Control (Ctrl) + Shift (⇧) + Arrow | Command (⌘) + Shift (⇧) + Arrow |
| Purpose: Highlight all cells in a column | Purpose: Highlight all cells in a column or row |
Related Functions
IFERROR: Returns the first argument if it is not an error value, otherwise returns the second argument if present, or a blank if the second argument is absent.IFS: Evaluates multiple conditions and returns a value that corresponds to the first true condition.ISBLANK: Checks whether the referenced cell is empty.