Forum Discussion
Reuben
May 12, 2017Iron Contributor
HOW TO: "If cell contains specific text then return specific text"
I'm trying to extract a bunch of specific text combinations from cells and present it in a new cell. This formula seems to work for two variables but I can't add any more variables too it. =IFERROR...
- 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.
vijaykumar shetye
May 14, 2017Brass Contributor
Dear Detlef Lewin,
Thanks for the reply and the correction. What is the significance of using Pi() in the formula?
Viaykumar Shetye,
Spreadsheet Excellence,
Panaji, Goa, India
Detlef_Lewin
May 14, 2017Silver Contributor
PI() itself is just a little gag. The lookup value has to be a number greater than 1. So 1.1 would be enough or 2 if you prefer whole numbers.