SLW #019: IF Functions for Beginners

Here's an update: I've added a lesson on "Relative and Absolute Referencing" to the Excel Analytics OS course. If you're not familiar with cell referencing, you can study this lesson in Step 2 - 'Right Data!'

Hey there,

This week, I'll talk about the 'IF functions' learning sequence. Consider this if you are a beginner.

• IF: Begin with IF for decision-making.
• IFS: Explore IFS for multiple conditions in a long formula.
• IFERROR: Learn error handling with IFERROR.
• IFNA / Nested IF: I would suggest to ignore these two.

Why Start with IF?

It saves you a lot of time when classifying data and embedding logic into Excel. This is the basis of automation. As long as your logic is clear, Excel does it for you.

Example: If you have a list of temperatures and want to say if they're "Hot" or "Cold," you can use the IF formula:

=IF(A2>90, "Hot", "Cold")

IFS - Multiple Conditions

If you're dealing with multiple conditions, I'd recommend using IFS. It's like a neater and simpler version of nested IFs. It's easy to follow, and you can see the logic in pairs. I highly recommend it.

Example: If you're grading test scores as "A," "B," "C," or "F," IFS makes it clear and easy to follow with pairs:

=IFS(A2>=90, "A", A2>=80, "B", A2>=70, "C", TRUE, "F")

Or you can use nested IF to write the formula, but it's not easy for beginners to follow; learning the logic is good enough.

=IF(A2>=90, "A", IF(A2>=80, "B", IF(A2>=70, "C", "F"))) 

IFERROR - Handling Errors

IFERROR makes your spreadsheets look good and understandable, especially when there are mistakes in your formulas and calculations.

Example: When you want to change the error cells to blank, it's very simple:

=IFERROR(A2/B2, "")

IFNA - When Something's Missing

IFNA is your backup plan. It helps when you're looking for something, but it's not there.

Example: If you're searching for the cost of a product, but it's not in the list, IFNA steps in and says "Not Found"

 =IFNA(VLOOKUP(A2, C2:D10, 2, FALSE), "Not Found")

I seldom used this in the decades, some small tricks may need IFNA, but for beginners, I suggest you can skip this. 

In Conclusion

Starting with IF is like laying the foundation for your Excel journey. It's the core skill for data work. As you become more skilled, you'll handle advanced tasks effortlessly. And with error tools, your work stays smooth. Just stick to this order, and you are on the way to master Excel.

I'll delve into more essential functions that are ideal for beginners to learn.

I've selected 70+ functions for you in the course. Click the link below if you want to learn faster.

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Whenever you're ready, this is the way I can help you:

• Theme-based digital course: Excel Analytics OS   
• Complexity → Simplicity (Easy to follow)
• Scattered → Organized (Easy to digest)
• Long hours training → Covered everything you need in just 7.5 hours