Use a criterion cell
=IF(E2=H2,"Done","Pending")Put the criterion in H2 so it can be changed without editing the formula.
PASTE-READY RECIPE
If a employee is complete, return another value in Google Sheets
Return Done for a Complete employee; otherwise return Pending.
QUICK ANSWER
The formula and where it fits.
If a employee is complete, return another value in Google Sheets with =IF(E2="Complete","Done","Pending"). Paste it into an empty result cell, then change the ranges or criterion to match your columns.
IF tests one Status cell and returns one of two labels. In this worked employee table, column A stores employee labels, B stores Region, C stores Amount, D stores Date, E stores Status and F stores Notes.
The example uses four rows so you can check the output before applying the formula to a larger employees table. Edit any input in the playground and compare the new output with the visible criteria.
- Place the employees table in columns A:F with one header row.
- Paste the formula into an empty cell outside the source range.
- Replace the sample criterion or date limits with the cells used in your file.
- Check one matching row and one non-matching row before filling or sharing the sheet.
TRY ITEdit the table.
Edit the table.
Watch the result change.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Employee | Region | Amount | Date | Status | Notes |
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 | ||||||
| 4 | ||||||
| 5 |
FORMULA OUTPUTDone · Pending · Done · PendingRecalculates from the input cells above
VARIATIONS
Use the version that fits your sheet.
Use bounded ranges
=IF(E2="Complete","Done","Pending")Bounded ranges can calculate faster in a large file.
Return a readable fallback
=IFERROR(IF(E2="Complete","Done","Pending"),"No matches")Shows readable text instead of an error when the source has no qualifying rows.
COMMON ERRORS
When the result looks wrong.
The ranges start on different rows
Start every referenced range on row 2 and keep their ending rows aligned.
The criterion does not match the stored data
Check spelling, spaces, number formatting and whether dates are stored as real dates.
Blank rows affect the result
Add Employee non-blank logic when unused rows should be excluded.
QUESTIONS
Answers before you paste.
Can this formula use a cell as the employee criterion?
Yes. Replace the quoted criterion with a cell reference such as H2.
Can I use this with an open-ended column?
Yes. Whole-column ranges are convenient; bounded ranges can be faster in a very large spreadsheet.
Why does the formula return no match?
Check extra spaces, data types, date values and whether every range begins on the same row.
MAKE IT YOURS
Adjust this formula →Change the ranges, labels or criteria.
Send this recipe to the SheetSteps assistant and describe how your columns are arranged.