The IF function will check the logical condition of a statement and return one value if true and a different value if false. The value returned may be either a number or text. If the value returned is text, it must be in quotes The syntax for the IF function is:

=IF (condition, value-if-true, value-if-false)

For instance, if we have the following data set given above, the IF function would be:

=IF(E4>179,"Pass","Fail")

The above example demonstrates how the IF function is used to give us one value (Pass) if the student is passing the class, and another value (Fail) if the student is in danger of failing the course. There are many more ways in which the IF function could be used. This is only one example.

To perform an IF function like the example above, follow the steps below:

• Click in the cell that you want the IF to be performed (in the above example that will be cell F4).
• Click on the fx button (function button) in the top toolbar.
• Select the Logical category and click on IF in the Function name area.

• Click on the OK button.
• Excel will open a dialog window like the one below. Here, you will enter reference the cell to begin the logical statement and idenitfy the criteria (E4>179). In this window, you will also select how Excel will display the results if the statements rein true or false ("Pass" or "Fail").

• Once you entered the needed information, click the OK button and the response should be shown in the designated cell (in this example "Pass" is shown in cell F4).