Formula-based rules in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This table shows student scores in column A. Column B will show 'Pass' if the score is 70 or above, otherwise 'Fail'.

Cell	Value
A1	Score
A2	85
A3	72
A4	90
A5	60
B1	Pass/Fail
B2
B3
B4
B5

Formula Trace

=IF(A2>=70, "Pass", "Fail")

Step 1: A2>=70

Step 2: 85>=70

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

Cell Reference Map

    A       B
1 | Score | Pass/Fail
2 |  85   |  --> formula here
3 |  72   | 
4 |  90   | 
5 |  60   | 

The formula in B2 references cell A2 to decide Pass or Fail.

Result

    A       B
1 | Score | Pass/Fail
2 |  85   | Pass
3 |  72   | 
4 |  90   | 
5 |  60   | 

The formula in B2 evaluates to 'Pass' because 85 is greater than or equal to 70.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What will the formula =IF(A3>=70, "Pass", "Fail") return if A3 is 72?

A Pass

B Fail

C 72

D Error

Key Result

IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false) returns one value if condition is true, another if false.