Excel can test several conditions by nesting IF functions or by using the newer IFS function. Both can produce the same result, but IFS is usually easier to read once the formula has several branches.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, and Excel for the web. IFS is not available in Excel 2016 or earlier, while nested IF works almost everywhere.
Use nested IF for compatibility
Nested IF puts another IF inside the false result of the previous IF.
- Start with a normal IF, such as =IF(B2>=90,”A”,…).
- Place the next IF in the false part.
- Continue for each tier, such as =IF(B2>=90,”A”,IF(B2>=80,”B”,IF(B2>=70,”C”,”D”))).
- Use the final false result as the catch-all.
Excel allows many nested functions, but more than a few levels becomes hard to read and easy to break with mismatched parentheses.
Use IFS for cleaner multi-condition formulas
IFS lists each condition beside its result.
- Enter =IFS(.
- Add the first condition and result, such as B2>=90,”A”.
- Add the next condition and result, such as B2>=80,”B”.
- Continue in the order the tests should be checked.
- Add TRUE and a final result as the catch-all.
- Example: =IFS(B2>=90,”A”,B2>=80,”B”,B2>=70,”C”,TRUE,”F”).
IFS checks conditions in order and stops at the first TRUE condition, so put the most specific or highest-priority tests first.
More control
Choose based on version
Use nested IF when the file must work in older Excel. Use IFS when everyone has Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365, or Excel for the web.
Do not forget the catch-all
IFS returns #N/A when no condition matches and there is no final TRUE result. Nested IF naturally has a final false result.
Use lookup tables for many tiers
For large score, commission, or pricing tables, a lookup formula against a sorted table is usually easier to maintain than either nested IF or IFS.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – IFS function (2025)
- Microsoft Support – IF function (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Using nested functions in a formula (2025)