Use IF Function for Smarter Decision-Making in Microsoft Excel

Let Excel make decisions for you

In Microsoft Excel, the logical tests of the IF function are your tool to check if a statement is TRUE or FALSE and return results accordingly.

IF categorises sales, flags overdue tasks, or passes/fails students. It brings some logical thinking to your spreadsheet.

🔍 What is the IF function?

The IF function tests the given condition and produces one value if TRUE and a different value if FALSE.

Basic syntax:

=IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)

For Example:

=IF(A2>=60, "Pass", "Fail")

This means, if the value in cell A2 is 60 or higher, then consider it "Pass"; else, values lower than 60 get tagged as "Fail".

Example (with detailed steps): Categorising Sales

Formula:

=IF(A2>1000, "High", "Low")

This helps Excel label items based on a given threshold.

Nested IF Statements

For double conditions:

=IF(A2>1000, "High", IF(A2>500, "Medium", "Low"))

This classifies sales into three categories.

IF + AND/OR

=IF(AND(A2>1000, B2="Yes"), "Bonus", "No Bonus")

This gives a bonus only if both conditions are met.

=IF(OR(A2="Yes", B2="Yes"), "Proceed", "Hold")

This way, one condition is enough to trigger the "proceed" outcome.

✅ Best Practices for IF Statements

- Be cautious with nested IFs so that they are clear 

- When penalising numerous conditions, combine with AND/OR

- Try working on a small range first before using it across a large advancement

- Consider using IFS function in Microsoft Excel 365/2021 for simpler multi-logic

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