How is the IF function formatted in Excel?

The IF function in Excel is formatted as follows: =IF(test, return if true, return if false). This structure allows users to evaluate a logical test and decide what value or action to return based on whether that test evaluates to true or false.

The first argument, "test," is the condition being evaluated. If this condition is met (true), the function returns the value specified in the second argument, "return if true." If the condition is not met (false), the value specified in the third argument, "return if false," is returned. This format grants great flexibility in Excel, enabling users to implement conditional logic in their spreadsheets effectively, such as displaying different results or taking different actions based on the data present.

The other options either lack the complete structure of the IF function or misrepresent its arguments. For instance, having only two return values without clearly specifying the condition and the required true/false outcomes does not provide the complete functionality of how IF operates in Excel, which can lead to confusion or incorrect use of the function.