Case-based reasoning is a method of reasoning from experience to solve current problems in the field of cognitive science， which has the advantages of easy acquisition of knowledge， simple operation steps， and the ability to improve the efficiency of reasoning with the growth of experience. Formula-syndrome differentiation is a method of differentiation and treatment based on the scope of the adapted disease， disease mechanism， therapeutic methods， and contraindications of the formula. Analysed from the perspectives of concept， applicable field， and implementation steps， it is believed that the concept of formula-syndrome differentiation belongs to the scope of case-based reasoning， the clinical diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine belongs to the applicable field of case-based reasoning， and the steps of formula-syndrome differentiation are consistent with the process of case-based reasoning. Based on the characteristics of case-based reasoning， we analyse the advantages， limitations and problems to be noted in the process of formula-syndrome differentiation， and put forward four strategies to improve the ability of formula-syndrome differentiation， including accumulating experience on formulas and syndromes， cultivating the ability to grasp the main symptoms， accumulating a rule base to improve the ability to modify formulas according to the symptoms， and improving the ability to assess the effect of treatment plans and obtain corresponding feedback， with a view to promoting the clinical application of formula-syndrome differentiation.