Blog · IF

How to Use IF in Google Sheets

Complete guide to the IF function with syntax, examples, and tips.

What is IF?

Returns one value if a logical expression is TRUE and another if FALSE.

Syntax

IF(logical_expression, value_if_true, value_if_false)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Understand the arguments — IF requires specific inputs. Review the syntax above and make sure you understand each argument.
2. Set up your data — Organize your data with clear headers and consistent formatting before applying the formula.
3. Write the formula — Start typing =IF( in any cell and Google Sheets will show you the argument hints.
4. Test with sample data — Verify the output matches your expectations before applying to your full dataset.
5. Handle errors — Wrap in IFERROR() to gracefully handle edge cases: =IFERROR(IF(...), "N/A")

Expert Tips

Can be nested up to 7 levels. For multiple conditions, consider IFS or SWITCH.

Related Functions

Check out our complete formula reference for more Google Sheets functions.

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