VBA IIF

Excel VBA IIF

If you are the regular user of VBA macros then you must have come across the function called “IIF” or you might have seen this function on the internet. At first sight, for you must have thought it is an IF condition like our regular IF statement in Excel. But this isn’t the same IF statement we use to evaluate logical tests and arrive results based on the criteria we give. In this article, we will take you through the “VBA IIF” condition in VBA.

What Does IIF Condition Do in VBA?

This is very similar to our IF condition but slightly different in nature. “VBA IIF” condition tests the supplied the expression or logical test and returns either TRUE or FALSE as the result.

VBA IIF Syntax

Take look at the syntax of the IIF function.

• Expression: This is nothing but the logical test we would like to conduct.
• Ture Part: If the logical test is TRUE then what should be the result of the TRUE part.
• False Part: If the logical test is FALSE then what should be the result of the FALSE part.

We can enter our own results with TRUE & FALSE parts. Though arguments look similar to that of IF condition this will be slightly different. We will see that in the examples of Excel VBA IIF function.

One of the key differences between regular “IF” and this “IIF” is we can reduce the code to a single line with IIF where with IF condition it takes a minimum of 5 lines to arrive the same result.

Example of VBA IIF Function

Below are the examples of VBA IIF Function in excel.

Example #1 – VBA IIF

Ok, we will see one simple example of IIF function. Now we will test whether one number is greater than or less than to another number. Follow the below steps to write the VBA code.

Step 1: Start the macro.

Step 2: Define the variable as String in VBA.

Code:

Sub IIF_Example()

Dim FinalResult As String

End Sub

Step 3: Define two more variables as Long in VBA.

Code:

Sub IIF_Example()

Dim FinalResult As String

Dim Number1 As Long
Dim Number2 As Long

End Sub

Step 4: Now for the variable “Number1” assign the value of 105 and for variable “Number2” assign the value of 100.

Code:

Sub IIF_Example()

Dim FinalResult As String

Dim Number1 As Long
Dim Number2 As Long

Number1 = 105
Number2 = 100

End Sub

Step 5: Now for the first defined variable “FinalResult” we will assign the result of IIF function. So open the IIF for the variable.

Step 6: Supply the expression as Number1 > Number2.

Step 7: Now if the expression is TRUE what should be the result. I will assign the result as “Number 1 is greater than Number 2”.

Step 8: Now if the expression is FALSE what should be the result. I will assign the result as “Number 1 is less than Number 2”.

Now the variable value will be either one of the below.

If True: “Number 1 is greater than Number 2”

If False: “Number 1 is less than Number 2”

Step 9: Let’s show the result in a message box in VBA.

Code:

Sub IIF_Example()

Dim FinalResult As String

Dim Number1 As Long
Dim Number2 As Long

Number1 = 105
Number2 = 100

FinalResult = IIf(Number1 > Number2, "Number 1 is Greater than Number 2", "Number 1 is Less than Number 2")

MsgBox FinalResult

End Sub

Now let’s run the code and see the result.

Since Number 1 value is 105 which is greater than the Number 2 value of 100 we got the result as “Number 1 is Greater than Number 2”. Since the Expression is TRUE, the IIF condition returned this result.

Example #2 – IF vs IIF

You must be wondering what the difference between IF & IIF is. Yes, there is a difference in coding. For example, look at the IF condition code.

Code:

Sub IIF_Example()

Dim FinalResult As String
Dim Number1 As Long
Dim Number2 As Long

Number1 = 105
Number2 = 100

If Number1 > Number2 Then
MsgBox "Number 1 is Greater than Number 2"
Else
MsgBox "Number 1 is Less than Number 2"
End If

End Sub

Using IF first we have applied a logical test.

If Number1 > Number2 Then

Then if the logical test is true we have applied the result.

MsgBox "Number 1 is Greater than Number 2"

Then if the logical test is false we have applied the different results.

MsgBox "Number 1 is Less than Number 2"

Both the functions return the same result but with IIF we can code in a single line only, where the IF statement requires multiple lines.

Example #3 – VBA Nested IIF Condition

Like how we use nested IF to test multiple conditions similarly we can use multiple IIF as well. Take a look at the below code.

Code:

Sub IIF_Example2()

Dim FinalResult As String

Dim Marks As Long

Marks = 98

FinalResult = IIf(Marks > 90, "Dist", IIf(Marks > 80, "First", IIf(Marks > 70, "Second", IIf(Marks > 60, "Third", "Fail"))))

MsgBox FinalResult

End Sub

The above IIF condition tests five logical tests and returns the result accordingly.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to VBA IIF. Here we discuss how to use Excel VBA IIF Function with the help of practical examples and downloadable excel template. Below are some useful articles related to VBA –

• VBA Charts
• IF OR in VBA
• IFERROR in VBA
• VBA Tutorial for Beginners