WPS Spreadsheets: Use IFS with IF or VLOOKUP Results
Question details
The user needs to evaluate results from IF or VLOOKUP formulas with IFS, including cases where a formula returns an empty string and another column contains a calculated fee.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A worksheet or table uses IFS to compare a formula result with a Correct Fee value and return labels such as Too Low or OK.
- Observed behavior
- ISBLANK does not identify a formula-generated empty string as blank, and comparisons may produce unexpected results when fee values are stored as text or references point to the wrong table columns.
Check whether the lookup cell contains a formula that returns "" rather than being truly empty. Also confirm that the fee columns contain numeric values and that the table headers used in structured references match the intended columns.
Test formula-generated empty strings directly with IFS
Use this approach when a VLOOKUP or IF formula returns an empty string and ISBLANK does not detect it.
A formula-generated empty string is not considered blank by ISBLANK. Test the displayed result with a direct comparison such as P4="". IFS evaluates conditions from left to right and returns the result for the first TRUE condition.
In WPS Spreadsheets, click the cell containing the IF or VLOOKUP result, such as P4, or select the calculated column in the table.
In the formula bar, enter =IFS(OR(P4="",P4<[@[Correct Fee]]),"Too Low",P4>=[@[Correct Fee]],"OK",TRUE,"Other") and press Enter.
If the formula is in an Excel-style table, press Enter to apply the calculated-column formula or drag the fill handle down the remaining rows.
Review the results for Too Low, OK, or Other. The first condition that evaluates to TRUE determines the displayed label.
Correct data types and structured references before comparing fees
Use this approach when IFS comparisons return incorrect labels because fee values are text or table references point to the wrong columns.
Evaluate VLOOKUP and IF Results with IFS in WPS Spreadsheets
WPS Spreadsheets lets you combine IFS, IF, VLOOKUP, OR, and structured table references to classify calculated results. Test formula-generated empty strings directly, compare numeric fees reliably, and review each condition in left-to-right order.
- 1. Open the spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, choose Spreadsheets, and open the workbook containing the IF or VLOOKUP result.
- 2. Select the formula cell: Click the result cell, such as P4, and use the formula bar to inspect whether it can return an empty string.
- 3. Enter the IFS logic: Replace the existing classification formula with =IFS(OR(P4="",P4<[@[Correct Fee]]),"Too Low",P4>=[@[Correct Fee]],"OK",TRUE,"Other").
- 4. Verify numeric values and references: Check that fee results are numbers and that structured references such as [@[Correct Fee]] identify the intended table column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does ISBLANK return FALSE when a VLOOKUP cell looks empty?
A VLOOKUP or IF formula that returns "" leaves a formula in the cell, so ISBLANK does not treat it as truly empty. Test the result with P4="" instead.
What formula can classify an empty result or a low fee with IFS?
Use =IFS(OR(P4="",P4<[@[Correct Fee]]),"Too Low",P4>=[@[Correct Fee]],"OK",TRUE,"Other"). Replace P4 and [@[Correct Fee]] with the references used in your worksheet.
Why does IFS return the wrong result when comparing fees?
Check whether one fee is stored as text instead of a number and confirm that the structured reference points to the intended column. Values such as 45 and 70 should be numeric, not quoted text.
In what order does IFS evaluate conditions?
IFS checks conditions from left to right and returns the result associated with the first TRUE condition. Put the empty-result and lower-fee test before the OK comparison.
Can I use this formula in a WPS Spreadsheets table?
Yes. Enter the formula in a table column and use structured references such as [@[Correct Fee]]. WPS Spreadsheets can fill the calculated formula through the table when the table structure is recognized.
