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TRUE Function

Excel 2007+

Summary

The Excel TRUE function returns the logical value TRUE. This function is primarily provided for compatibility with other spreadsheet applications and is rarely needed since TRUE can be entered directly as a literal value in formulas.

Syntax

TRUE()

Using the TRUE Function

The TRUE function provides a programmatic way to return the logical TRUE value. While you can type TRUE directly into cells or formulas, using the function ensures compatibility across different spreadsheet applications and makes formulas more explicit about returning a boolean value.

Common TRUE Examples

Basic TRUE Usage

=TRUE()

Returns the logical value TRUE. Can be used anywhere a boolean TRUE is needed.

TRUE with IF Function

=IF(A1>100, TRUE(), FALSE())

Returns TRUE if A1 is greater than 100, FALSE otherwise. Note: TRUE() works identically to just typing TRUE.

Combining with Logical Tests

=AND(A1>0, TRUE())

Returns TRUE if A1 is positive (since AND with TRUE doesn't change the result).

Frequently Asked Questions

Both work identically. TRUE() is mainly for compatibility with other spreadsheet programs. For native Excel usage, typing TRUE directly is more common.

TRUE is a logical boolean value. When used in numeric calculations, Excel treats TRUE as 1, but it's semantically different and better for logical operations.

No, TRUE() has no arguments and always returns the logical TRUE value.

Common Errors and Solutions

#NAME? error

Cause: TRUE misspelled as 'True' or 'true'

Solution: Use exact spelling: TRUE() - Excel functions are case-insensitive but must be spelled correctly

Unexpected FALSE result

Cause: Confusing TRUE with conditional logic

Solution: TRUE() always returns TRUE regardless of cell values

Notes

TRUE() is semantically identical to typing TRUE directly
Primarily used for cross-application compatibility
Returns TRUE even when entered as an array formula
Can be used in array formulas and dynamic arrays

Compatibility

Available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365

Not available in:

Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+