NOT function in Excel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the NOT function do in Excel?

The NOT function reverses the logical value of its argument. If the input is TRUE, it returns FALSE; if the input is FALSE, it returns TRUE.

beginner

Write the formula to get the opposite of TRUE using the NOT function.

=NOT(TRUE) returns FALSE.

intermediate

How can NOT be used with a logical test like A1>10?

You can write =NOT(A1>10). It returns TRUE if A1 is NOT greater than 10, otherwise FALSE.

beginner

What will =NOT(5=5) return?

Since 5=5 is TRUE, =NOT(5=5) returns FALSE.

intermediate

Can the NOT function be used with non-logical values like numbers or text?

Yes, Excel treats non-zero numbers as TRUE and zero as FALSE. For example, =NOT(0) returns TRUE, and =NOT(1) returns FALSE. Text values cause an error unless they are logical TRUE or FALSE.

What does =NOT(FALSE) return?

A TRUE

B FALSE

C 0

D Error

NOT reverses FALSE to TRUE.

Which formula returns TRUE if cell A1 is NOT equal to 5?

A =A1=5

B =NOT(A1<>5)

C =NOT(A1>5)

D =NOT(A1=5)

The formula =NOT(A1=5) returns TRUE when A1 is not 5.

What will =NOT(10>20) return?

A TRUE

B FALSE

C 10

D 20

Since 10>20 is FALSE, NOT(FALSE) returns TRUE.

If =NOT(0) is entered, what is the result?

A FALSE

B TRUE

C 0

D Error

Excel treats 0 as FALSE, so NOT(0) returns TRUE.

Which of these is NOT a valid use of the NOT function?

A Reversing a logical test result

B Checking if a number is zero

C Converting text to uppercase

D Negating TRUE or FALSE values

NOT does not change text case; it only reverses logical values.

Explain how the NOT function works and give an example of when you might use it in a spreadsheet.

Think about how to check the opposite of a condition.

Describe how Excel treats numbers when used inside the NOT function.

Consider how logical functions interpret numbers.

Practice

1. What does the Excel function NOT(TRUE) return?

easy

A. FALSE

B. TRUE

C. 0

D. 1

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the NOT function behavior

   The NOT function reverses the logical value it receives. If the input is TRUE, it returns FALSE.

2. Step 2: Apply NOT to TRUE

   Applying NOT to TRUE gives FALSE.

3. Final Answer:

   FALSE -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   NOT(TRUE) = FALSE [OK]

Hint: NOT flips TRUE to FALSE and vice versa [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking NOT(TRUE) returns TRUE
• Confusing TRUE/FALSE with 1/0
• Using NOT without parentheses

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to use the NOT function in Excel?

easy

A. NOT(A1=10)

B. NOT A1=10

C. NOT(A1=10

D. NOT[A1=10]

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Excel function syntax

   Excel functions require the function name followed by parentheses enclosing the argument.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   NOT(A1=10) uses correct syntax: NOT(A1=10). Options A, B, and D have missing or wrong parentheses or brackets.

3. Final Answer:

   NOT(A1=10) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct syntax uses parentheses [OK]

Hint: Always use parentheses with Excel functions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses
• Using square brackets instead of parentheses
• Placing NOT outside the parentheses incorrectly

3. Given cell A1 contains the value 5, what is the result of the formula =NOT(A1>10)?

medium

A. FALSE

B. TRUE

C. 5

D. 10

Solution

1. Step 1: Evaluate the condition inside NOT

   The condition A1>10 checks if 5 is greater than 10, which is FALSE.

2. Step 2: Apply NOT to the condition result

   NOT(FALSE) reverses FALSE to TRUE.

3. Final Answer:

   TRUE -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   NOT(FALSE) = TRUE [OK]

Hint: Evaluate inside condition first, then flip with NOT [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming 5 > 10 is TRUE
• Forgetting NOT reverses the result
• Confusing cell value with formula result

4. The formula =NOT(A1=5 is entered in a cell. What is the issue with this formula?

medium

A. Incorrect use of NOT function

B. A1 cannot be compared to 5

C. Missing closing parenthesis

D. NOT function does not accept logical expressions

Solution

1. Step 1: Check formula syntax

   The formula has an opening parenthesis after NOT but no closing parenthesis.

2. Step 2: Identify the error

   Excel requires matching parentheses for functions. Missing closing parenthesis causes a syntax error.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing closing parenthesis -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   All functions need matching parentheses [OK]

Hint: Count your parentheses carefully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to close parentheses
• Misplacing parentheses around arguments
• Thinking NOT can't use logical tests

5. You want to highlight cells in column A that do NOT equal "Complete" using conditional formatting. Which formula should you use?

hard

A. =NOT("Complete"=A1

B. =NOT(A1=Complete)

C. =NOT(A1, "Complete")

D. =NOT(A1="Complete")

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the condition to check

   You want to check if the cell text is NOT equal to "Complete".

2. Step 2: Write the correct NOT formula

   The correct syntax is NOT(A1="Complete") which returns TRUE when A1 is not "Complete".

3. Step 3: Check other options

   =NOT("Complete"=A1) misses closing parenthesis, causing syntax error. =NOT(A1=Complete) misses quotes around text, causing error. =NOT(A1, "Complete") uses wrong syntax with comma.

4. Final Answer:

   =NOT(A1="Complete") -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Use NOT with logical test inside parentheses [OK]

Hint: Put logical test inside NOT parentheses with quotes for text [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting quotes around text
• Using comma inside NOT
• Missing closing parenthesis