IF function in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data shows student scores in column A. We want to use the IF function to check if each score is 60 or above to decide if the student passed or failed.

Cell	Value
A1	Score
A2	85
A3	55
A4	70
B1	Result

Formula Trace

=IF(A2>=60, "Pass", "Fail")

Step 1: A2>=60

Step 2: 85>=60

Step 3: IF(TRUE, "Pass", "Fail")

Cell Reference Map

    A       B
1 | Score | Result
2 |  85   |  --> Formula here
3 |  55   |
4 |  70   |

The formula in cell B2 uses the value from cell A2 to decide the result.

Result

    A       B
1 | Score | Result
2 |  85   | Pass
3 |  55   | 
4 |  70   | 

The formula in B2 shows "Pass" because 85 is greater than or equal to 60.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the formula =IF(A2>=60, "Pass", "Fail") return if A2 is 55?

A Fail

B 60

C Pass

D TRUE

Key Result

IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false) returns value_if_true when condition is TRUE, else value_if_false.