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Excel function · Logic

SI(IF)

Returns one value when a test is true and another when it's false.

What it does

IF makes a decision. It checks a test, such as whether a score is at least 60, and returns one result if the test is TRUE and another if it's FALSE. The results can be text, numbers or other formulas.

Syntax

=SI(logical_test; value_if_true; [value_if_false])

Arguments in square brackets are optional, and … means you can add more of the same. In this Excel language, arguments are separated by ;

Arguments

logical_test
Anything that is TRUE or FALSE, usually a comparison like B2>=60.
value_if_true
What to return when the test is TRUE. Text goes in quotes.
value_if_false
What to return when it's FALSE. Leave it out and Excel shows FALSE.

Example

Ana needs 60 points to pass. Did she?

ABC
1StudentScoreResult
2Ana72Pass

The formula in C2:

=SI(B2>=60;"Pass";"Fail")

Result: Pass

Ana scored 72. The test 72>=60 is TRUE, so IF returns its second argument: Pass.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting the quotes around text results. Without them Excel looks for a name and shows #NAME?.
  • Putting quotes around numbers. "10" is text, so a later sum may skip it.
  • Using > when the limit itself should pass. >= includes it.

In other Excel languages

Excel translates function names, and in some languages the argument separator too. Type the name your Excel shows.

Excel languageFunction nameSeparator
EnglishIF,
DeutschWENN;
FrançaisSI;
Español (España)SI;
Español (México)SI,
日本語IF,
한국어IF,
繁體中文IF,
ไทยIF,
ខ្មែរIF,
Tiếng ViệtIF;

Practise it

More from this module

All functions