"JE McGimpsey" wrote in message
...
| In article ,
| "JethroUK©" wrote:
|
| a 'work around' doesn't answer the IF function enigma - (e.g 99% of
| alllllllll XL functions need not exist at all - thay all have a work
around)
|
|
| that being that the IF function returns boolean logic (Heads or tails)
|
| No, it evaluates the first term to a boolean, then returns one of two
| optional parameters.
|
| so why does it insist on one parameter and not the other logic
| dictates it should insist on both or neither! - this defys logic
|
| Neither parameter is required. An omitted parameter evaluates to zero:
|
| =IF(TRUE,) == 0
| =IF(TRUE,,) == 0
| =IF(TRUE,,3) == 0
| =IF(FALSE,,) == 0
| =IF(FALSE,) == FALSE
|
| The latter evaluates to FALSE because no false parameter was supplied -
| i.e., the result of the statement is formally undefined. In a language
| that supplies parameters by position only, the True parameter being
| undefined isn't possible.
|
| I'll admit that it seems to me that returning an error would be more
| appropriate...

i can only say 'whatever'

=IF(A1="Bob")

suggests obvious boolean logic

obvious to anyone bar XL - for some reason it needs a poke in the right
direction:

=IF(A1="Bob",TRUE)

regarding parameter placing - there's no reason both parameters can't be
optional (if one is)


the engima still stands


|
| i'm sure they'll fix it one day
|
| Since it operates exactly like Help says it does, I wouldn't hold my
| breath.

despite it behaving contrary to logic (ironic since it's a logical function)