ISLOGICAL function
ISLOGICAL returns TRUE when a value is one of the logical values, TRUE or FALSE. Checkbox cells and comparisons produce them; imports often produce the text "TRUE" instead, which looks the same but behaves differently in counts and IF tests. ISLOGICAL tells the two apart.
- Available in
- Every current version
- Category
- Information functions
- Returns
- TRUE if the value is TRUE or FALSE. FALSE for everything else, including the text "TRUE".
- Google Sheets
- Available in Google Sheets with the same argument.
Syntax
=ISLOGICAL(value)
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
value | Required | The value or cell to test. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | =SUMPRODUCT(--ISLOGICAL(B2:B6)) | 3 | Three cells hold real TRUE or FALSE values |
| E2 | =IF(ISLOGICAL(B6),"OK","Not a checkbox value") | Not a checkbox value | B6 shows TRUE, but it was typed in as text |
| F2 | =SUMPRODUCT(--(B2:B6=TRUE)) | 2 | Tasks done: the text "TRUE" doesn't match a real TRUE |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Task | Done | Real TRUE/FALSE values | Row 6 check | Tasks done | |
| Invoices | TRUE | 3 | Not a checkbox value | 2 | |
| Payroll | FALSE | ||||
| Review | yes | ||||
| Backup | TRUE | ||||
| Audit | TRUE |
Practice ISLOGICAL
Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Count real checkboxes
D2, count how many cells in B2:B8 hold a real TRUE or FALSE value.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| FALSE for a cell that shows TRUE | The cell holds the text "TRUE", often from an import. Convert the column with =UPPER(B2)="TRUE", which returns a real TRUE or FALSE. |
| 1 and 0 aren't logical values | Some systems export yes and no as 1 and 0. ISLOGICAL is FALSE for them; =B2=1 turns them into real TRUE and FALSE values. |
Tips
- A comparison is already logical: =ISLOGICAL(A2>10) is always TRUE, whatever A2 holds.
Questions
What is a logical value in Excel?
TRUE or FALSE. Comparisons like A2>10 return them, and checkbox cells store them.
How do I count TRUE values in Excel?
=COUNTIF(B2:B50,TRUE) counts cells holding TRUE. To check that every value really is logical first, use =SUMPRODUCT(--ISLOGICAL(B2:B50)).
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine.