Can I nest IF statements, if the first one is checking for data?

**Barnaclebot** · 03-14-2013, 06:52 PM

Hi all,

I'm trying to write a formula that will do the following:

Display the amount of days from a date to TODAY - (TODAY()-K2)
If another cell contains data, display the difference between the first and second date - (L2-K2)
Check to see if there is data in either data column, else leave blank - (=IF(K2="","",TODAY()-K2)

I've tried the following:
=IF(K2="","",TODAY()-K2,IF(L2="","",L2-K2))
...but it throws me a 'Too many arguments' error. I assume this is because I'm trying to check the cell for data first. Any ideas, or am I just asking too much on this one?

Thanks a ton!

**judgeh59** · 03-14-2013, 06:58 PM

your second IF statement is the problem....take a look at the "&" and concatenate the two formulas together....HTH

**BB1972** · 03-14-2013, 07:28 PM

Barnaclebot, welcome to the forum.

Can you clarify your last condition, please? Is it if EITHER K2 OR L2 is blank, return blank?

**newdoverman** · 03-14-2013, 07:54 PM

The problem is in the logic that you are using.

The first part of the formula "=IF(K2="","",TODAY()-K2" is a complete IF statement because both the TRUE and FALSE parts of the statement are taken care of. If K2 is blank, return a blank otherwise subtract K2 from Today's date.

The second part of the formula "IF(L2="","",L2-K2)" is also a complete IF statement for the same reason as above but there is a complication that you added and that is IF(k2="".... If K2 is blank, the formula will not proceed to the IF(L2=""... because the TRUE statement for K2 is satisfied. If K2 is not blank then K2 is subtracted from today's date and the formula has done its job and will not proceed further.

In effect, you have two conflicting IF statements rolled up in one equation.

**Barnaclebot** · 03-14-2013, 07:56 PM

Hi Brendan, thanks for the welcome! I've lurked here before for answers, everyone always seems super helpful.

Correct, if either K2 or L2 is blank, return blank. Overall what I'd like to have happen is if K2 contains a date but L2 is blank, have the cell display the number of days difference from K2 to today. If L2 also contains a date, have the cell display the difference between K2 and L2.

I could be totally wrong in my original formula. Thanks for any advice!

**tgsekhar** · 03-14-2013, 08:12 PM

This formula should help you. Syntax for Nested If Condition.
=IF(Condition,ValueToBeReturnedIfConditionResultsInTrue,ValueToBeReturnedIfConditionResultsIn)
Result of Condition should be True or False. Parameter 2 and/or 3 can become another IF Condition totally. In the sample given below Parameter2 is made into another IF Condition.
English Version of the below IF Condition is
IF L2 is Blank then

Return
IF K2 is Blank then

Return the information both dates are blank

ELSE

Return Today - K2

ENDIF

ELSE

Return L2-K2

ENDIF

Please Login or Register  to view this content.

**Barnaclebot** · 03-15-2013, 12:38 PM

tgsekhar, thank you! That makes much more sense than what I was trying to do.

Thanks everyone!

**newdoverman** · 03-15-2013, 03:25 PM

I think that the possibility of K2 being blank while L2 isn't blank hasn't been considered and no outcome has been specified if only L2 has a date. This formula will allow you to specify the outcome if K2 is blank and L2 is not blank.

Formula:

Please Login or Register  to view this content.

The possibilities are:
1) K2 and L2 are not blank....L2 - K2
2) K2 and L2 are both blank...."Both Dates are Blank"
3) K2 is not blank and L2 is blank....today()-K2
4) K2 is blank and L2 is not blank....""