Answer

An IF statement is a logical formula that returns one value when a condition is true and a different value when the condition is false.

A standard structure uses:

=IF(logical\_test,\ value\_if\_true,\ value\_if\_false)

Why is an IF statement not working?

An IF statement does not work when one or more structural, logical, or formatting rules are violated. The explanations below list every common reason.

1. Wrong Comparison Structure

Excel returns errors when the logical test is not valid.

Correct comparison syntax

A1>10,\ A1<10,\ A1=10,\ A1<>"text"

Fix

1. Confirm that each comparison has a left side, an operator, and a right side.

2. Confirm that text comparisons use quotation marks.

2. Incorrect Use of Quotation Marks

Quotation marks produce text values. Unwanted text values create false outcomes.

Example of incorrect input

=IF(A1>"10","Yes","No")

Fix

1. Remove quotation marks from numeric comparisons.

2. Use quotation marks for text only.

3. Mismatched Parentheses

Excel formulas break when parentheses do not open and close properly.

Fix

1. Count the parentheses in the formula.

2. Ensure every opening parenthesis has one closing pair.

Excel shows color-coded parentheses that help locate mismatches.

4. Wrong Data Type in the Compared Cells

Cells formatted as text do not behave as numbers. Conditions fail when numbers are stored as text.

Fix on Windows

1. Select the cells.

2. Go to Data > Text to Columns > Finish.

3. Convert text numbers into real numbers.

Fix on Mac

1. Select the cells.

2. Go to Data > Convert to Number.

5. Hidden Characters or Spaces

Extra spaces change the true value of a cell.

Fix

1. Test values using:

   =LEN(A1)

2. Remove hidden spaces with:

   =TRIM(A1)

6. Wrong Separator (Comma vs. Semicolon)

Regional settings control whether a formula uses commas or semicolons. Excel rejects the wrong one.

Fix

1. Evaluate the system’s default list separator.

2. Replace commas with semicolons or semicolons with commas as required.

7. Nested IF Limit Reached

Excel stops evaluating when a formula exceeds the allowed nesting depth. Current versions support 64 nested IF levels.

Fix

1. Replace long chains with functions such as IFS, CHOOSE, or VLOOKUP, depending on the logic.

8. Logical Test Returning Blank Instead of TRUE/FALSE

A referenced cell that returns a blank, an error, or text forces the IF to behave unexpectedly.

Fix

1. Wrap input cells with:

   =VALUE(),\ =ERROR.TYPE(),\ =LEN()

2. Validate each referenced cell before using it.

9. Absolute and Relative References Used Incorrectly

An IF behaves incorrectly when copied across cells while using the wrong reference style.

Fix

1. Confirm where you need:

   • $A$1 (absolute)

   • A$1 (mixed)

   • A1 (relative)

2. Adjust references before copying the formula.

10. The Value_if_true or Value_if_false Contains an Error

Excel stops running an IF when the returned value contains invalid expressions.

Fix

1. Test each result separately.

2. Confirm each returned expression works on its own.

11. Using Text Conditions Without Exact Match

Excel reads "yes" and "Yes" as different strings.

Fix

1. Standardize case across all text.

2. Use:=

   LOWER(A1)

to normalize input before comparison.

12. IF Statement Not Recalculating

Automatic calculation mode must be enabled.

Fix on Windows

1. Go to Formulas > Calculation Options > Automatic.

Fix on Mac

1. Go to Formulas > Calculation > Automatic.

13. The Formula Uses Unsupported Characters

Characters pasted from external sources break syntax rules.

Fix

1. Rewrite the formula using plain keyboard characters.

2. Remove non-standard dashes or quotation marks.

14. Incorrect Use of AND or OR

Incorrect placement of AND or OR stops the IF from evaluating properly.

Correct example

=IF(AND(A1>10,\ B1<5),\ "OK",\ "Fail")

Fix

1. Confirm AND and OR wrap only the logical tests.

2. Ensure every logical test inside them is valid.

15. The Logical Test Uses Merged Cells

Merged cells misalign references and cause false evaluations.

Fix

1. Unmerge cells under Home > Merge & Center > Unmerge Cells.

2. Re-enter the formula.

16. The Formula Evaluates Text That Looks Like a Number

Text formatted as a number fails numerical comparisons.

Fix

1. Use:

   =ISNUMBER(A1)

2. Convert non-number values.

17. Calculation Overflow

Extremely large numbers create overflow errors.

Fix

1. Replace large values with scaled equivalents.

2. Use:

   =A1/1000

   $\mathrm{<br>a}tex=A1/1000$

to reduce the magnitude.

18. The IF Condition Is Logically Impossible

Conditions that never evaluate to TRUE produce incorrect outcomes.

Fix

1. Check each logical boundary.

2. Confirm that the condition can actually occur.

19. Lookup-Based IF Statements Fail Because of Duplicate Values

Repeated values produce unpredictable comparisons.

Fix

1. Use unique identifiers.

2. Introduce helper columns that evaluate distinct logic..

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