A bare TRUE/FALSE reads cold in a report. Convert a logical test into Yes/No, Pass/Fail, or a tick and cross with a simple IF — clearer for any audience.
The example
A pass/fail flag from a score.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Score | Pass? |
| 2 | 82 | Yes |
| 3 | 55 | No |
The formula
Labels instead of booleans:
How it works
IF dresses up the test:
- Write the condition as IF’s first argument.
- Put the true label second and the false label third.
- Use any text —
"Pass"/"Fail","✓"/"✗","Active"/"Inactive". - Already have a TRUE/FALSE?
=IF(A2, "Yes", "No")converts it directly.
Symbols read fast: =IF(test, "✓", "✗") with a green/red conditional format makes a scannable status column. For numbers, =−−(test) gives 1/0 if you need to sum the passes.
Try it: interactive demo
Score and pass mark.
Variations
Tick / cross
Symbols:
From a boolean
Direct convert:
To 1/0
For summing:
Pitfalls & errors
Result is text. “Yes”/“No” can’t be summed — use 1/0 (--(test)) if you need a count.
Symbol support. ✓/✗ render in most fonts but check yours, especially on export.
Consistency. Pick one label scheme across the sheet so filters and pivots group cleanly.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert TRUE/FALSE to Yes/No in Excel?
How do I show a tick or cross instead?
How do I count how many passed?
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