NOT function in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data shows different values including TRUE, FALSE, numbers, zero, and text to test the NOT function.

Cell	Value
A1
A2
A3	5
A4	0
A5	Text

Formula Trace

=NOT(A1)

Step 1: A1

Step 2: NOT(TRUE)

Cell Reference Map

T

↓

F

↓

5

↓

0

↓

Txt

The formula references cell A1 which contains TRUE.

Result

    A       B   
1 TRUE   FALSE 
2 FALSE       
3 5           
4 0           
5 Text        

Cell B1 shows the result of =NOT(A1), which is FALSE.

The result of NOT(TRUE) in cell B1 is FALSE, showing the logical inversion.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the formula =NOT(A2) return if A2 is FALSE?

A 0

B TRUE

C FALSE

D Error

Key Result

NOT reverses the logical value of its argument: TRUE becomes FALSE, FALSE becomes TRUE.