SEQUENCE function in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data sets parameters for the SEQUENCE function: start number 1, 3 rows, 4 columns, step 2.

Cell	Value
A1	Start Number
B1	1
A2	Rows
B2	3
A3	Columns
B3	4
A4	Step
B4	2

Formula Trace

=SEQUENCE(B2, B3, B1, B4)

Step 1: SEQUENCE(3, 4, 1, 2)

Step 2: Generate first row: 1, 3, 5, 7

Step 3: Generate second row: 9, 11, 13, 15

Step 4: Generate third row: 17, 19, 21, 23

Step 5: Final array: [[1, 3, 5, 7], [9, 11, 13, 15], [17, 19, 21, 23]]

Cell Reference Map

    A       B       C       D       E
1  Start  ->  1
2  Rows   ->  3
3  Columns->  4
4  Step   ->  2

Formula uses B2 (3 rows), B3 (4 columns), B1 (start 1), B4 (step 2)

The formula references cells B1, B2, B3, and B4 for start number, rows, columns, and step.

Result

    A   B   C   D   E
5  1   3   5   7
6  9  11  13  15
7 17  19  21  23

The SEQUENCE function outputs a 3-row by 4-column array starting at 1, increasing by 2 each step.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What is the value in cell C5 after the formula =SEQUENCE(B2, B3, B1, B4) is entered?

A 5

B 7

C 11

D 9

Key Result

SEQUENCE(rows, columns, start, step) generates an array starting at 'start', increasing by 'step', filling rows and columns.