---
title: "Back to Basics: Conditional Logic with PowerShell If Statement"
description: "Learn about the conditional logic construct - the PowerShell If statement construct that allow scripters to formulate conditional logic."
canonical: "https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-if-statement/"
---

# Back to Basics: Conditional Logic with PowerShell If Statement

> Learn about the conditional logic construct - the PowerShell If statement construct that allow scripters to formulate conditional logic.

Source: https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-if-statement/

---

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# Back to Basics: Conditional Logic with PowerShell If Statement

[![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9a14f10ff1b1ec7d790d34f5b559e4d3de2d31b172e6ef266dfd8b479174d97b?s=192&d=mm&r=g)June Castillote](https://adamtheautomator.com/author/june/)25 May 20239 min. read

Categories: [IT Ops](/category/it-ops/)

Tags:[PowerShell](/tag/powershell/)

Table of Contents

*   [Understanding the PowerShell If Statement Syntax](#understanding-the-powershell-if-else-syntax)
*   [Understanding the PowerShell If Statement Logic Flow](#understanding-the-powershell-if-else-logic-flow)
*   [Using the PowerShell If-Else Statement](#using-the-powershell-if-else-statement)
*   [Single If-Else Condition](#single-if-else-condition)
*   [Testing for $Null in a PowerShell If Statement](#testing-for-null-in-a-powershell-if-statement)
*   [Multiple If-Else Conditions with ElseIf](#multiple-if-else-conditions-with-elseif)
*   [Reporting Free Disk Space Status](#reporting-free-disk-space-status)
*   [Using a PowerShell If Statement to Improve Code](#h-using-a-powershell-if-statement-to-improve-code)
*   [Multiple and Nested If-Else](#multiple-and-nested-if-else)
*   [Example of Multiple/Nested If-Else Statements](#h-example-of-multiple-nested-if-else-statements)
*   [Summary](#summary)
*   [Further Reading](#further-reading)

> _This article has been updated for 2023!_

Scripts can make decisions. How? By using a concept called conditional logic. The PowerShell if statement and the if/else constructs are the common ways to define conditions.

Not a reader? Watch this related video tutorial!

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When you write PowerShell scripts, you do so with a specific task or task in mind. But, an operation can have multiple possible actions based on one or more conditions. This situation is where the PowerShell If statement construct comes in.

In this article, you will learn the PowerShell If-Else construct and understand its syntax and how it works. You will also learn some ways you can use PowerShell If statement to add conditional logic handling in your scripts from the examples.

## Understanding the PowerShell If Statement Syntax

The PowerShell if-else construct evaluates one or more conditional expressions. Below you’ll see the If statement syntax. This style is often called flow control.

```powershell
if (<test1>)
    {<statement list 1>}
[elseif (<test2>)
    {<statement list 2>}]
[else
    {<statement list 3>}]
```

As you can see from the syntax above, each _test_ is enclosed in a parenthesis `()`. Tests can make use of different operators, such as [comparison operators](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_comparison_operators?view=powershell-7.2) and _[logical operators](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_logical_operators?view=powershell-7)_,

The _statement lists_ contain the code intended to run if the result of the test evaluates to true.

Then, there are three possible statements in an If statement group. These are the IF, ELSEIF, and ELSE statements.

*   The `if` statement contains the first test to evaluate, followed by the first statement list enclosed inside the curly brackets `{}`.The PowerShell _if_ statement is the only statement required to be present.
*   The `elseif` statement is where you add conditions. You can add multiple _ElseIf_ statements when you have multiple conditions. PowerShell will evaluate each of these conditions sequentially.
*   The `e_lse_` statement does not accept any condition. The statement list in this statement contains the code to run if all the prior conditions tested are false.

## Understanding the PowerShell If Statement Logic Flow

To further understand how the PowerShell If-Else works, familiarize yourself with its logic flow. The diagram below illustrates the basic flow of the PowerShell If-Else.

![PowerShell If-Else Logic Flow](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Untitled-2020-06-01T180723.619.png)

PowerShell If Statement Logic Flow

When the if statement runs, PowerShell runs through each condition evaluating if the code returns true or false. A summary of the behavior is below:

*   PowerShell evaluates the condition in _Test 1_.
*   If the result of _Test 1_ returns _true_, the code inside the If statement list will run, then PowerShell exits the If statement.
*   If the result of _Test 1_ returns _false,_ PowerShell continues to evaluate the condition (Test _n_) in the next _ElseIf_ statement.
*   If the result of _Test n_ returns _false_, PowerShell continues to evaluate the condition (Test _n_) in the next _ElseIf_ statement, if another ElseIf statement exists -OR-
*   If Test n’s result returns _false_, the code in the _Else_ statement runs, and PowerShell will exit the If statement -OR-
*   If Test n’s result returns true, the code in the _ElseIf_ statement runs, and PowerShell will exit the If statement.

## Using the PowerShell If-Else Statement

The next sections are several examples of how the PowerShell If statement is used when writing scripts. The techniques you will learn can guide you in using the If statement should you encounter a real-life situation that requires its use.

### Single If-Else Condition

Starting with the most basic is the single PowerShell If statement. You should use a single if statement when there’s only one condition to test.

The example below tests whether the value of the `$num` variable is greater than 10. If the result is true, the result saying `"$num is greater than 10"` will be displayed on the screen. If the result is false, PowerShell does nothing because there is only one condition to test.

```powershell
$num = 11
if ($num -gt 10) {
    "$num is greater than 10"
}
```

> _If you check for just a specific value, such as `if ($Value) { }` then PowerShell will test if the `$Value` is not `$Null`, `0`, `$False`, an empty string, or an empty array._

Pasting the code above into PowerShell will give you the result shown below.

![Single If Condition Example](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/if01.gif)

Single If Condition Example

Now, you can add the Else statement if you want to add a default “fallback” action rather than just letting PowerShell do nothing when the test result is false.

In the example below, the code in the Else statement will run if the value of the `$num` variable is NOT greater than 10.

```powershell
$num = 9
if ($num -gt 10)
{
    "$num is greater than 10"
}
else
{
    "$num is NOT greater than 10"
}
```

Running the modified code in PowerShell gives you the output shown below.

![Single If condition](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/if02.gif)

Single If statement condition

Starting with PowerShell 7.0, a new syntax for the If statement has been introduced using a [_ternary operator_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%3F:#C++). Single If statements can make good use of this new syntax.

Using the same example above, this is how the code would look with the [ternary](https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-ternary/) operator.

```powershell
$num = 11
$num -gt 10 ? "$num is greater than 10" : "$num is NOT greater than 10"
```

![If statement syntax using ternary operator](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Untitled-2020-06-01T180756.992.png)

If statement syntax using ternary operator

### Testing for $Null in a PowerShell If Statement

You may think that testing for a `$Null` condition is straightforward. But, the side that you place the `$Null` value on is important as it may not result in the same in every condition. It is best practice to always put the `$Null` condition on the left like so.

```powershell
$Null -NE $Value
```

If you put the `$Null` test on the right-hand side, and the left-side value is a list, such as an array, then `$Null` will act as a filter. As you can see from the example below, if `$Null` is placed on the left-hand side, you will have consistent boolean results.

```
$List = @(1,2,2,3,4)
$List -NE $Null
$List -EQ $Null
$Null -NE $Null
$Null -EQ $Null
```

![](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image-312.png)

$Null testing conditions for PowerShell If Statement

### Multiple If-Else Conditions with ElseIf

When evaluating multiple conditions, you need to add one or more ElseIf statements. Each ElseIf statement contains the test expression and its code to run.

The script below, when executed, will keep on prompting for a fruit name until the `CTRL+C` keystroke is issued, or the user inputs the letter “`X`“.

Then, the If statement will go through each condition in sequence until it finds a match. If the input did not match any of the conditions, the code inside the _Else_ statement would be executed.

```powershell
While ($fruit -ne "X") {
    $fruit = Read-Host "Name that fruit"

    if ($fruit -eq 'Apple') {
        'I have an Apple'
    }
    elseif ($fruit -eq 'Banana') {
        'I have a Banana'
    }
    elseif ($fruit -eq 'Orange') {
        'I have an Orange'
    }
    else {
        'Sorry, that fruit is not in the list'
    }
}
```

Below is a demonstration of how the script above behaves when running in PowerShell.

![Multiple If-Else conditions](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/if03.gif)

Multiple If-Else conditions

### Reporting Free Disk Space Status

Free disk space reporting is one task that is common for system admins. The usual way of reporting the space information of fixed disks on a Windows machine revolves around the code below.

```powershell
Get-CimInstance -ClassName CIM_LogicalDisk | Where-Object {$_.DriveType -eq 3}
```

The information the code above will return would look like the one shown in this next screenshot.

![Plain disk space information report](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Untitled-2020-06-01T180844.508.png)

Plain disk space information report

As you can see, the output above shows the drive letter, free space values, and other properties. While the output above is fine, it is not intuitive. How the information is presented does not indicate whether the disk space is in a critical or warning state or normal.

### Using a PowerShell If Statement to Improve Code

A more intuitive output can be achieved using the PowerShell If-Else statement by adding conditions to check if the free space is over or below certain thresholds. And these thresholds will define the status of the free disk space.

The example script below performs the following:

*   Using the variable’s value of `$Critical`, define the threshold to which the percent of free space will be tagged as **_critical_**.
*   Using the value of the variable `$Warning`, define the threshold to which the percent of free space will be tagged as **_warning_**.
*   Get all fixed disk information from the local machine
*   [_Loop through_](https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-foreach/) all the disk information to determine free space and tag its status.
    *   If the free space percentage is higher than the value of the `$Warning` variable, the disk space status is tagged as **_normal_**.
    *   If the free space percentage is higher than the value of the `$Critical` variable, the disk space status is tagged as **_warning_**.
    *   If the free space percentage is less than or equal to the value of the `$Critical` variable, the disk space status is tagged as **_critical_**.
*   Compose the object properties `'Drive Letter'`, `'Drive Name'`, `'Total Space (GB)'`, `'Free Space (GB)'`, `'Free Space (%)'`, and `'Status'`.
*   Return the final report.

Copy the code below and save the script with the filename `Get-DiskSpace.ps1`. Do not forget to change the values of the `$Critical` and `$Warning` variables to test with different thresholds.

```powershell
# Define thresholds in percentage
$Critical = 20
$Warning = 70

# Get all Fixed Disk information
$diskObj = Get-CimInstance -ClassName CIM_LogicalDisk | Where-Object { $_.DriveType -eq 3 }

# Initialize an empty array that will hold the final results
$finalReport = @()

# Iterate each disk information
$diskObj.foreach(
    {
        # Calculate the free space percentage
        $percentFree = [int](($_.FreeSpace / $_.Size) * 100)

        # Determine the "Status"
        if ($percentFree -gt $Warning) {
            $Status = 'Normal'
        }
        elseif ($percentFree -gt $Critical) {
            $Status = 'Warning'
        }
        elseif ($percentFree -le $Critical) {
            $Status = 'Critical'
        }

        # Compose the properties of the object to add to the report
        $tempObj = [ordered]@{
            'Drive Letter'     = $_.DeviceID
            'Drive Name'       = $_.VolumeName
            'Total Space (GB)' = [int]($_.Size / 1gb)
            'Free Space (GB)'  = [int]($_.FreeSpace / 1gb)
            'Free Space (%)'   = "{0}{1}" -f [int]$percentFree, '%'
            'Status'           = $Status
        }

        # Add the object to the final report
        $finalReport += New-Object psobject -property $tempObj
    }
)

return $finalReport
```

> _You may also assign the result of the if/else condition to a variable, i.e. `$Status = if ($percentFree -gt $Warning) { 'Normal' }` to potentially make a shorter condition._

Once the script is saved, test it by calling its name in PowerShell. Below is a sample demonstration of how this script works.

![Free Disk Space Status Command Output](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/if04.gif)

Free Disk Space Status Command Output

As you can see from the output, the **_status_** for each disk is determined by the free disk space percentage, which was the result of using multiple conditions with PowerShell If-Else.

### Multiple and Nested If-Else

Let’s say you have an if-else statement with a condition defined in the `else` block. When the if-else statement runs, the `else` block is invoked if the code inside of the `if` block returns false.

Inside of the `else` block, you need to perform another conditional test. As a result, you need another If-Else statement. This scenario is called a nested If-Else. The nested If-Else statement is commonly used if the inner If-Else depends on the result of the operation in the outer If-Else.

Using multiple and nested If-Else statements can be quite confusing. The key point is to remember the scaffold placement and ensure you indent your code. Indenting your code will help you easily recognize and separate your If-Else statements.

### Example of Multiple/Nested If-Else Statements

The example script below shows how multiple and nested If-Else can be dependent on the result of each other. The logic of the code below is as follows.

*   If the `$SendEmail` is `$false`, the script will do nothing and exit.
*   If the `$SendEmail` is `$true`, then the `$From` and `$To` variables must not be empty or null. Otherwise, the `$abortFlag` will be set to 1.
*   If the `$SendEmail` is `$true` and the `$CCEnabled` is `$true`, then the `$CC` variable must not be empty or null. Otherwise, the `$abortFlag` will be set to 1.
*   If the `$SendEmail` is `$true` and the `$BCCEnabled` is `$true`, then the `$BCC` variable must not be empty or null. Otherwise, the `$abortFlag` will be set to 1.
*   If the `$abortFlag` value is 1, the script will exit at this point and will not continue.
*   If the `$abortFlag` value is 0, the script continues until the end.

Copy the code below and save it as `Send-MyMail.ps1`. Do not change any values yet.

```powershell
$SendEmail = $true

$From = ""
$To = ""

$CCEnabled = $true
$CC = ""

$BCCEnabled = $true
$BCC = ""

$abortFlag = 0

if ($SendEmail) {
    if (!$From) {
        Write-Host "[From] is missing" -ForegroundColor Red
        $abortFlag = 1
    }

    if (!$To) {
        Write-Host "[To] is missing" -ForegroundColor Red
        $abortFlag = 1
    }

    if ($CCEnabled) {
        if (!$CC) {
            Write-Host "[CC] is missing" -ForegroundColor Red
            $abortFlag = 1
        }
    }

    if ($BCCEnabled) {
        if (!$BCC) {
            Write-Host "[BCC] is missing" -ForegroundColor Red
            $abortFlag = 1
        }
    }

    if ($abortFlag -eq 1) {
        Write-Host "The abort flag has been tripped. Exit script." -ForegroundColor Red
        break
    }
    else {
        Write-Host "Your email will be sent from this address $From" -ForegroundColor Green
        Write-Host "And will be sent to the following people:" -ForegroundColor Green
        Write-Host "To: $To" -ForegroundColor Green

        if ($CCEnabled -and $CC) {
            Write-Host "CC: $CC" -ForegroundColor Green
        }

        if ($BCCEnabled -and $BCC) {
            Write-Host "BCC: $BCC" -ForegroundColor Green
        }
    }
}
```

Once you’ve saved the file, run it in PowerShell, as shown below. The demonstration below shows the result of the script when the variable values go unchanged.

![Nested If-Else example](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/if05.gif)

Nested If-Else example

Next, edit the script and update all the variables properly, like this snippet below.

```powershell
$SendEmail = $true

$From = "from@domain.com"
$To = "to@domain.com"

$CCEnabled = $true
$CC = "cc@domain.com"

$BCCEnabled = $true
$BCC = "bcc@domain.com"

---SNIP---
```

After editing the variables, save the script, and run it again. It should show you the same result, as seen below.

![Another nested If-else example](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/if06.gif)

Another nested If-else example

Now, modify the variables and try combinations to test how the nested If-Else will be affected. Modifying and testing on your own would help you understand the logic further.

## Summary

In this article, you learned about the conditional logic construct – the PowerShell If Statement construct. The If-Else statement allows scripters to formulate conditional logic and direct their scripts’ actions based on testing results.

With the examples in this article, you should have learned ways and techniques to use the If-Else statement when creating a decision-driven code. If-Else can be simple using a single condition and gets more complex while you dig deeper into the nested If-Else statements.

What do you think of the If-Else statement? Is this something you think you would be using more and more after reading this article? What other purposes can you consider where you can apply the knowledge you’ve acquired here?

## Further Reading

*   **_[About If](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_if?view=powershell-7)_**
*   **_[Back to Basics: The PowerShell foreach Loop](https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-foreach/)_**

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