What is the difference between IF and IFS?

IF handles one test with two outcomes and needs nesting for more. IFS takes any number of test and value pairs in one flat list.

How do I add an else case to IFS?

End with TRUE and the default value, for example TRUE,"Other".

Does IFS evaluate all conditions?

It returns the first true one, so later results are ignored.

Can IFS replace a lookup table?

For a handful of bands yes; for many bands a lookup table with approximate-match VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP is easier to maintain.

← All functions

Logic

IFS

Returns the result for the first condition that is true.

Syntax

IFS(logical_test1, value_if_true1, …)

Example: =IFS(B2>=90,5,B2>=75,4,TRUE,3)

Available in: Excel 2019+

IFS checks several conditions in order and returns the value for the first one that is true, with no nesting: =IFS(test1, value1, test2, value2, …). It is available in Excel 2019 and Microsoft 365.

When to use it

You have three or more outcomes, such as grades, price bands or status labels.
You want a flat formula that reads top to bottom instead of nested IFs.
Conditions are ranges of a number, tested from the most specific to the least.
Everyone who opens the file has Excel 2019 or later.

Arguments explained

logical_test1. The first condition to check. IFS tests conditions in order from left to right and stops at the first one that is TRUE.
value_if_true1. The result returned when the first condition is TRUE.
logical_test2, value_if_true2, …. Further pairs of condition and result, up to 127 pairs. Each condition needs its own result next to it.
Catch-all. IFS has no else argument. If no condition is TRUE you get #N/A, so end the list with a pair such as TRUE,"Other" to provide a default.

Worked examples

Letter grade

	A
1	Score
2	84

Formula: C1: =IFS(A2>=90,"A",A2>=80,"B",A2>=70,"C",TRUE,"F")

Result: B

Tests run in order; 84 fails the first test and passes the second. The final TRUE acts as an "everything else" catch-all.

Shipping cost by weight

	A
1	Weight (lb)
2	3

Formula: C1: =IFS(A2<=1,4.5,A2<=5,7.9,TRUE,12.5)

Result: 7.9

Up to 1 lb costs 4.50, up to 5 lb costs 7.90, anything heavier 12.50.

No condition matches

	A
1	Value
2	50

Formula: C1: =IFS(A2>100,"High")

Result: #N/A

With no matching test and no TRUE fallback, IFS returns #N/A.

Try it

A tiny spreadsheet with example data. Edit the formula or any number and see the result.

Formula in F2: =IFS(B2>=90,"A",B2>=75,"B",TRUE,"C")

Example spreadsheet for IFS
	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	Student	Score	Extra credit	Attempts		Result
2	Ann	92	Yes	2		A
3	Bob	74	No	0
4	Cy	58	Yes	3
5	Dee	81	No	1
6	Eli	66		2

Result in F2: A

Practice this in a lesson: Nested IF and IFS

Common errors and how to fix them

#N/A. No condition was true. Add a final TRUE, "fallback" pair, or wrap the formula in IFERROR.
Wrong result for overlapping tests. IFS stops at the first true test, so order matters. Put the strictest condition first (>=90 before >=80).
#NAME?. Excel 2016 and older do not have IFS. Use nested IF.
"You've entered too few arguments". Every test needs a matching value. The arguments must come in pairs.

Related functions

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between IF and IFS?: IF handles one test with two outcomes and needs nesting for more. IFS takes any number of test and value pairs in one flat list.
How do I add an else case to IFS?: End with TRUE and the default value, for example TRUE,"Other".
Does IFS evaluate all conditions?: It returns the first true one, so later results are ignored.
Can IFS replace a lookup table?: For a handful of bands yes; for many bands a lookup table with approximate-match VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP is easier to maintain.