Nested IF functions in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This table shows student scores in column A and we want to assign letter grades in column B based on the score.

Cell	Value
A1	Score
A2	85
A3	72
A4	59
A5	40
B1	Grade

Formula Trace

=IF(A2>=80,"A",IF(A2>=60,"B",IF(A2>=40,"C","F")))

Step 1: A2>=80

Step 2: IF(TRUE,"A",IF(A2>=60,"B",IF(A2>=40,"C","F")))

Cell Reference Map

    A      B
1 |Score |Grade
2 |  85  |  -> formula here
3 |  72  |
4 |  59  |
5 |  40  |

The formula in B2 references cell A2 to check the score and assign a grade.

Result

    A      B
1 |Score |Grade
2 |  85  |  A
3 |  72  |
4 |  59  |
5 |  40  |

The formula in B2 evaluates the score 85 and assigns grade 'A' because 85 is >= 80.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What grade will the formula assign if the score is 72?

A C

B A

C B

D F

Key Result

Nested IF checks conditions in order and returns the first matching result.