---
schema_version: "1"
id: e426b2c908178a6d7f3a481f3f5d0f0105f4e1c0290c69e77dc284b0c3835b5b
title: ISPICKVAL
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/customize_functions_ispickval.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions_ispickval.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 6f3bf15ba22052f73658c5a1e884dd4dce6f5f6939494fb8ccd81115a9631822
description: Determines if the value of a picklist field is equal to a text literal you specify.
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Security
release: "264"
---
# ISPICKVAL

Determines if the value of a picklist field is equal to a text literal you specify.

## Use

`ISPICKVAL(picklist_field, text_literal)` and replace picklist\_field with the merge field name for the picklist; replace text\_literal with the picklist value in quotes. text\_literal cannot be a merge field or the result of a function.

## Tips

- Replace picklist\_field with a custom or standard field of type picklist.
- Your text\_literal expression must be of type text and enclosed in quotes. It cannot be a merge field or the result of a function.
- Use [CASE](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions_case.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Checks a given expression against a series of values. If the expression is equal to a value, returns the corresponding result. If it isn't equal to any of the values, returns the else_result.") functions to determine if a picklist value is equal to a particular value.
- When using the ISPICKVAL function to return the previous value of a picklist field, include the PRIORVALUE function inside the ISPICKVAL function as in this example:
    
    ```
    ISPICKVAL(PRIORVALUE
    (picklist_field), 
    text_literal)
    ```

![Contract Activation Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-extend_click-264-0-0-production-enus/5f7d9219-b7b1-4552-8891-f1aba9b289fc/images/icon_example.png)

Contract Activation Example

`IF(ISPICKVAL(Status, "Activated"), NOW()-ActivatedDate, null)` calculates the number of days since the contract was activated. If the contract status is not “Activated,” this field is blank.

![Commission Accounts Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-extend_click-264-0-0-production-enus/5f7d9219-b7b1-4552-8891-f1aba9b289fc/images/icon_example.png)

Commission Accounts Example

```
IF(ISPICKVAL(StageName, "Closed Won"), 
  ROUND(Amount *0.02, 2), 0)
```

This example calculates the commission amount for any opportunity that has a “Closed Won” stage. The value of this field is the amount times 0.02 for any closed/won opportunity. Open or lost opportunities have a zero commission value.

![Competitor-Triggered Workflow
Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-extend_click-264-0-0-production-enus/5f7d9219-b7b1-4552-8891-f1aba9b289fc/images/icon_example.png)

Competitor-Triggered Workflow Example

```
ISPICKVAL(Stage, “Closed Lost”) && INCLUDES(Competitor__c, “Acme”)
```

In a workflow rule or process, this formula configures Salesforce to trigger the associated actions if the Competitor multi-select picklist field on a lost business is Acme.