Managing multiple rules in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This table shows student scores in column A. We want to apply multiple rules to assign a result in column B based on the score.

Cell	Value
A1	Score
A2	45
A3	75
A4	90
A5	60
B1	Result

Formula Trace

=IF(A2>=80,"Pass",IF(A2>=50,"Retake","Fail"))

Step 1: A2>=80

Step 2: IF(A2>=50,"Retake","Fail")

Step 3: Final result

Cell Reference Map

    A      B
1 |Score |Result
2 |  45  |  ?  
3 |  75  |  ?  
4 |  90  |  ?  
5 |  60  |  ?  

Arrows: B2 formula references A2, B3 references A3, etc.

Column B cells use formulas that reference the corresponding score in column A to decide the result.

Result

    A      B
1 |Score |Result
2 |  45  | Fail 
3 |  75  | Retake
4 |  90  | Pass 
5 |  60  | Retake

The results in column B show 'Fail' for scores below 50, 'Retake' for scores between 50 and 79, and 'Pass' for scores 80 and above.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What result does the formula give for a score of 90?

A Pass

B Retake

C Fail

D Error

Key Result

Nested IF formulas check multiple conditions in order, returning the first true condition's result.