How this IF formula works
The score misses 90 and 80, then passes 70. Excel returns Fine and leaves the final Needs work fallback unused.
The top row above is the whole formula. Open any argument that holds a calculation of
its own to see the values it used. Excel works out those inner parts first, because the
function around them needs their results. Edit a cell in the grid to see every value
update.
Try your own formula and data
The sample spreadsheet is fully editable. Change the formula or any cell it references.
The intermediate values recalculate in your browser.
Common mistakes with IF
If this formula is not doing what you expect, one of these is usually why.
Why does my nested IF always give the same answer?
Excel stops at the first TRUE test, so a loose threshold placed before a strict one swallows everything. Put the highest threshold first and work downward.
Why does Excel say "You've entered too many arguments for this function"?
A nested IF ended up beside the previous one instead of inside its false branch. Each IF needs three arguments and its own closing parenthesis.
Why does my IF return FALSE instead of my text?
The value_if_false argument is missing. Add the third argument, even if it is only an empty pair of quotes.
When should I use IFS instead of nested IF?
IFS often reads more easily once you have several ordered thresholds. Nested IF remains useful when each level needs an explicit fallback.