In Excel, the IF function allows you to make a logical comparison between a value and what you expect by testing for a condition and returning a result if that condition is True or False. The short answer: They’re both right … and wrong. It depends completely on how you’re using the statement. Read on to find out when to use if I was vs. if I were and get tips for. Here’s an overview of how the IF function can be used to put values into the Status column depending on the data in other cells. Checks whether a condition is met, and returns one value if TRUE, and another one if FALSE. =IF (logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false]) Given condition for a cell or a range of cells. Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)? There are three types of conditional sentences. 1. Form. 2. Examples (if-clause at the beginning) I will pass the exam. I would pass the exam. I would have passed the exam. Mind the comma after the if clause. 3. Examples (if-clause at the end) if I study. In this article, I’ll show you how to use the IF function in Excel with practical examples, starting with a simple test and building up to nested conditions, combining IF with AND and OR, handling errors, and checking whether a cell contains specific text. When comparing against a variable that may be empty, we include a pair of brackets [ ] so that if the variable does happen to be empty the IF command still has something to compare: IF [] EQU [] will return True. IXL helps high schoolers create their own path to success. Yes, IXL is for adults, too! Counting objects, inside and outside, longer and shorter, letter names, rhyming words, and more. Comparing numbers, names of shapes, letter names and sounds, plants and animals, communities, and more. These types of conditions are used in three types of sentences, called first, second and third conditional sentences. We use the first conditional to talk about the result of an imagined future situation, when we believe the imagined situation is quite likely: Excel’s IF function tests a condition and returns one value when it is TRUE and another when it is FALSE. Use it to label results, apply a calculation only to qualifying rows, or handle two possible outcomes. AND and OR let you combine conditions within the test. These types of conditions are used in three types of sentences, called first, second and third conditional sentences. We use the first conditional to talk about the result of an imagined future situation, when we believe the imagined situation is quite likely.