Using Formulas and Functions in Microsoft Excel 2013

  • 4/15/2013

Using the IF function

In addition to calculating values based on the contents of other cells, you can have Excel take different actions based on the contents of those other cells by using the IF function. For example, if you create a workbook to track the times of riders in a bicycle racing club, you can create a formula to compare each rider’s time to their previous times. When someone’s most recent time is the lowest time in the group, you can have Excel display Personal Best in the cell with the formula, alerting you to congratulate the rider in your next club newsletter.

Create an IF function

  1. Click the cell in which you want to enter an IF function.

  2. Click the Formulas tab.

  3. Click Logical.

  4. Click IF.

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  5. Type a conditional statement that evaluates to true or false.

  6. Type the text that you want to appear if the condition is true.

  7. Type the text that you want to appear if the condition is false.

  8. Click OK.

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