Difference Between If and Ifs Formulas in Notion: Simple Guide

Understanding the difference between If and Ifs formulas in Notion is crucial for creating dynamic workflows. This guide explores their syntax, logic, and best use cases, helping you build smarter conditional formulas that improve automation in Notion databases.

4/23/20253 min read

difference between if and ifs formula in notion
difference between if and ifs formula in notion

Difference Between If and Ifs Formula in Notion

Conditional logic is an essential part of Notion formulas, allowing users to automate workflows, categorize data, and create smart dashboards. When working with conditions in Notion, two key functions come up: If() and Ifs().

But what exactly is the difference between If and Ifs formula in Notion? This article will break down how each function works and when to use them.

Table of Contents

Difference Between If and Ifs Formula in Notion: Understanding Conditional Logic

Both If() and Ifs() allow users to apply conditional rules to Notion databases, but they serve slightly different purposes:

  • If() is used for simple true/false conditions.

  • Ifs() allows multiple conditions to be evaluated in order.

Let’s look at how each one works in practice.

Difference Between If and Ifs Formula in Notion: How the If() Function Works

The If() function follows a simple structure:

if(condition, ifTrue, ifFalse)

  • If the condition is true, it returns ifTrue.

  • If the condition is false, it returns ifFalse.

Example 2: If with Number Comparison

if(Score >= 50, "Pass", "Fail")

If the Score property is 50 or more, it returns "Pass", otherwise "Fail".

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Example 1: Basic If Statement

if(Completed, "Done", "Not Done")

If a checkbox property named Completed is checked, the formula returns "Done"; otherwise, it returns "Not Done".

Notion if() Formula
Notion if() Formula

Difference Between If and Ifs Formula in Notion: How the Ifs() Function Works

The Ifs() function is useful when multiple conditions need to be evaluated in order. Instead of nesting multiple If() statements, Ifs() allows you to check several conditions at once.

Syntax of Ifs()

ifs(condition1, result1, condition2, result2, ..., defaultResult)

Each condition is checked in order, and the first true condition determines the result.

Example 4: Status Indicator

ifs(Status == "Pending", "Awaiting Review", Status == "Approved", "Completed", "Rejected")

If Status is "Pending," it returns "Awaiting Review"; if "Approved," it returns "Completed"; otherwise, it returns "Rejected."

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Example 3: Grading System with Ifs()

ifs(Score >= 90, "A", Score >= 80, "B", Score >= 70, "C", "F")

This assigns a letter grade based on the Score property:

  • 90 and above → "A"

  • 80-89 → "B"

  • 70-79 → "C"

  • Below 70 → "F"

Notion ifs() Formula
Notion ifs() Formula

Difference Between If and Ifs Formula in Notion: Key Differences and Use Cases

When to Use Ifs()

  • For multiple conditional checks where only one result should be returned.

  • When handling graded scales, category assignments, or status tracking.

Learn more about Notion here.

When to Use If()

  • For basic conditions with only one true/false outcome.

  • When there are only two possible results.

Conclusion: Difference Between If and Ifs Formula in Notion

Understanding the difference between If and Ifs formula in Notion is essential for creating more efficient workflows. If() is perfect for simple true/false decisions, while Ifs() allows for cleaner and more readable multi-condition logic.

By choosing the right function for the right situation, you can enhance the way your Notion workspace operates.

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