How to Use Less Than Or Equal to Operator in Excel

This is an overview.

Overview of How to Use Less Than Or Equal to Excel

The sample dataset contains information about two fruit stores.

Example 1 – Compare String Values with Less Than Or Equal to Operator

Use Less Than or Equal to (<=) to compare string values:

Select J6.
Enter the following formula.

=B6<=F6

Less Than or Equal to (<=) compares the string value of B6 and F6. If the string value of B6 is less than or equal to F6, it will return TRUE. Otherwise, FALSE.

Press ENTER.

This is the output.

The string value of B6 cell is equal to F6: TRUE.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Example 2 – Compare Numeric Values with the Less Than Or Equal to Operator

Compare the prices of the same fruit in both stores:

Select H6.
Enter the following formula.

=C6<=F6

Less than or equal to (<=) compares the numeric value in C6 and F6. If the numeric value in C6 cell is less than or equal to F6 , it will return TRUE. Otherwise, FALSE.

Press ENTER.

This is the output.

The numeric value in C6 is greater than F6: FALSE.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Example 3 – Compare Dates using the Less Than Or Equal to Operator in Excel

An extra column was added to the dataset: Order Date.

Select J6.
Enter the following formula.

=D6<=H6

Less Than or Equal to (<=) compares the date value in D6 and H6. If the date value in D6 is less than or equal to H6, it will return TRUE. Otherwise, FALSE.

Press ENTER.

This is the output.

The date value in D6 greater than H6: FALSE.

Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Example 4 – Compare Dates Using the DATEVALUE Function with the Less Than Or Equal to Operator

The Less Than or Equal to (<=) logical operator will show an error if you compare dates without using cell reference. To avoid this error, add the DATEVALUE function.

Select J6.
Enter the following formula.

=D6<=1/30/2022

Less Than or Equal to (<=) compares the date value in D6 with the date 1/30/2022. If the date value in D6 is less than or equal to the date 1/30/2022, it will return TRUE. Otherwise FALSE.

Press ENTER.

This is the output.

The date value in D6 cell is less than 1/30/2022 date: TRUE, but FALSE is displayed.

Use the DATEVALUE function with the Less Than or Equal to (<=) logical operator:

Select J6.
Enter the following formula.

=D6 <= DATEVALUE("1/30/2022")

“1/30/2022” is used as date_text. The DATEVALUE function converts this date into a number: 44591.

Less Than or Equal to (<=) compares the date value in D6 with the result of the DATEVALUE function. If the date value in D6 cell is less than or equal to the number, it will return TRUE. Otherwise, FALSE.

Press ENTER.

This is the output.

You need to enter each date as date_text in the DATEVALUE formula.

Example 5 – Using Less Than Or Equal to with the IF Function in Excel

In the the dataset below, find who failed or passed based on numbers. Use the Less Than or Equal to (<=) operator with the IF function.

Select E4.
Enter the following formula.

=IF(D4<=59, "Fail","Pass")

D4<=59 is the logical_test: “Fail” as value_if_true and “Pass” as value_if_false.

In the logical_test, Less Than or Equal to (<=) was used to find the numbers less than or equal to 59. If the condition is met, it will return Fail. Otherwise, Pass.