Quick Links
Summary
To use the less-than-or-equal-to operator, type “=C2<=200” where C2 is the cell to compare and 200 is your specified value. The formula will return TRUE if C2 has a value equal to or less than 200; else, it will return FALSE.
Using the less-than-or-equal-to
operator in Microsoft Excel allows you to find out if the specified value matches your formula value or is less than that. We’ll show you how to use this operator to compare numbers and dates and how to use it withExcel’s various other functions.
When you use the less-than-or-equal-to operator, Excel retrieves aTRUEresult if the cell has a value that’s less than or equal to your specified value. If the cell value is higher than your specified value, the operator will return aFALSEresult.
Use Less Than or Equal To for Numbers
If you want to find outwhether a cell’s value is less than, equal to, or higher thanyour specified value, use the less-than-or-equal-to operator in your spreadsheet.
To do that, in your spreadsheet, select the cell where you want to display the result. In this cell, type the following formula and press Enter:
In this formula:
And instantly, you’ll see the result in your selected cell. To copy the formula for all your records, from the bottom-right corner of the cell where you’ve entered the formula, drag downwards covering all your records.
Related:How to Find and Highlight Row Differences in Microsoft Excel
Use Less Than or Equal To for Dates
To find out if an event occurred before or on a specific date, use the less-than-or-equal-to operator along with Excel’sDATEVALUEfunction. TheDATEVALUEfunctionformats your data in a date format, so that the less-than-or-equal-to operator doesn’t retrieve the wrong result.
To use it, in your spreadsheet, click the cell where you want to see the formula result. In this cell, type the following formula and press Enter:
If your cell’s date falls on or before July 4th, 2023, then the formula will return aTRUEresult. However, if your date falls after the 4th of July 2023, then you’ll get aFALSEresult in your cell.
Feel free to use the above formula for any of your dates.
Related:13 Microsoft Excel Date and Time Functions You Should Know
Use Less Than or Equal To With the IF Function
It makes more sense to use the less-than-or-equal-to operator along withan Excel function like IFthan using it alone. With theIFfunction and based on your operator’s result, you can perform various actions in your spreadsheet.
For example, if you’ve held an exam where anyone scoring59or less is to be markedFAILEDand those getting a score of60or higher to be markedPASSED, use the less-than-or-equal-to operator with theIFfunction as follows:
You’ll instantly see the result in your selected cell, and you’re all set.
Related:How to Use the IF Function in Microsoft Excel
Use Less Than or Equal To With SUMIF Function
By using the less-than-or-equal-to operator withExcel’s SUMIF function, you can sum only those numbers that match your criteria (i.e., equal to or fall below your specified number).
As an example, if you have a spreadsheet where you want to sum the order amounts only for the order numbers503or less, you’d use the following formula:
Related:How to Use SUMIF in Microsoft Excel
Use Less Than or Equal To With COUNTIF Function
The COUNTIF functionlets you count the number of cells that match your criteria. Here, you can use the less-than-or-equal-to operator to only count the cells having a value that either matches your given number or is less than that.
You’re done.
And that’s how you use the less-than-or-equal-to operator in your Excel spreadsheets to perform your calculations. Enjoy!
