Forum Discussion
HOW TO: "If cell contains specific text then return specific text"
- May 14, 2017
I'm sorry but i see no limitations which could prevent to use nested IF. The only point it is a bit less flexible compare to nested If equivalents.
But what to use depends on goals, in some cases quick hardcording works quite fine.
If use formatting nested if becomes much more clear and editable. Like this
=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Sales", B3,1)),"Sales",
IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Arch", B3,1)),"Architecture",
IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Land", B3,1)),"Land",
IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("All", B3,1)),"All",
IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Contracts", B3,1)),"Contracts",
IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("Construction", B3,1)),"Construction",
"No Match"
))))))
If instead of hardcoded strings use references nested IF becomes more flexible. And if add some extra references (nested if) for future strings to find it becomes even more flexible.
=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$1,B3,1)),$G$1, IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$2,B3,1)),$G$2, IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$3,B3,1)),$G$3, IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$4,B3,1)),$G$4, IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$5,B3,1)),$G$5, IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$6,B3,1)),$G$6, IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$7,B3,1)),$G$7, IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$8,B3,1)),$G$8, IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($F$9,B3,1)),$G$9, "No Match" )))))))))
I don't vote for nested IF, i would like to say where is no limitations here. What to use that's concrete person choice.
Reuben I am working on a spreadsheet that contains macros. In column A, users input an 'X' to make that row active which then gets copied for an email. If the row does not contain an 'X', the row is hidden and not copied for an email.
So what I am trying to accomplish:
IF a range of cells don't contain an 'X', THEN display "general text message".
If none of the cells from A2 through A10 contain an 'X', then I want a message to be displayed in B1. However, if any of the cells from A2 though A10 contain an 'X', then B2 should not display a message.
If there is a way to accomplish this, is it possible to have the formula automatically adjust to a new range of cells, ie. if I were to add a row between A2 and A10.