---
title: Overbasic – IF .. THEN .. ELSE
description: "IF, THEN and ELSE keywords allow you to condition the execution of a set of statements. In other words, statement blocks can only be executed under specific conditions. ### **Syntax** ``` If Then 'to be executed if is TRUE Else…"
url: "https://www.overcharts.com/en/helpcenter/docs/overbasic-if-then-else/"
updated: "2022-10-15"
category: "Overbasic / Syntax & Keywords"
---

# Overbasic – IF .. THEN .. ELSE

IF, THEN and ELSE keywords allow you to condition the execution of a set of statements. In other words, statement blocks can only be executed under specific conditions.

### **Syntax**

```
If <condition> Then
    <IF..THEN statement block> 'to be executed if <condition> is TRUE
Else
    <ELSE statement block> 'to be executed if <condition> is FALSE
EndIf
```

**IF** statement consists of two blocks:

**IF..THEN** **block**: (*mandatory*) statements contained in this block are executed ONLY if <condition> is TRUE

**ELSE** **block**: (*optional*) statements contained in this block are executed ONLY if <condition> is FALSE

<condition> is any equation/inequality (or a set of equations/inequalities linked together by AND/OR operators)

IF..THEN and ELSE statement blocks can contain any type of statement including other IF..THEN..ELSE (nested) statements:

```
If <condition1> Then
    If <condition2> Then
        ...
        ...
    EndIf
Else
    If <condition3> Then
        ...
    Else
        ...
    EndIf
EndIf
```

In the case of multiple ***nested IF*** statements, it is sometimes convenient to use an alternative (simplified) syntax that makes use of the **ELSEIF** keyword:

```
If <condition1> Then
    ...
ElseIf <condition2> Then
    ...
ElseIf <condition3> Then
    ...
Else
    ...
EndIf
```

### **Usage**

IF..THEN without ELSE block:

```
If (Close > Open) Then
    PositiveBars = PositiveBars + 1
EndIf

If (Close > Open) And (Close > Close(-1)) Then
    PositiveTrend = True
EndIf
```

IF..THEN with ELSE block:

```
If (Close > Open) Then
    PositiveBars = PositiveBars + 1
Else
    NegativeBars = NegativeBars + 1
EndIf
```

IF..THEN..ELSE nested:

```
If (Close > Open) Then
    PositiveBars = PositiveBars + 1
Else
    If (Close = Open)
        NeutralBars = NeutralBars + 1
    Else
        NegativeBars = NegativeBars + 1
    EndIf
EndIf
```

IF..THEN..ELSE with ELSEIF block/s:

```
If (Close > Open) Then
    PositiveBars = PositiveBars + 1
ElseIf (Close = Open)
    NeutralBars = NeutralBars + 1
Else
    NegativeBars = NegativeBars + 1
EndIf
```