Excel IF Function

[LAKHI]

Hi! can someone please help? I am using 2 columns of data and using an IF function in the 3rd column to return 'Paid' or 'Pending'. but even when they match, the result is still saying pending when it should say paid..... the payment references are alphanumeric....this is the formula to show you =IF(B1=($A$1:$A$1774),"PAID","PENDING")

 

[mole999]

i read this that says if B1 = equals all of the columns, as it can't it provides the pending result i.e. FALSE

=if(B1=A1, "PAID","PENDING")
=if(B2=A2, "PAID","PENDING")

 

[LAKHI]

thanks Mole999! I found the answer =IF(COUNTIF(A$1:A$406,B1),"PAID","CHECK") it seems you need to use the countif statement within the if formula.....