Sharing workbooks in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data shows a simple task list with names, tasks, and their status. It is used to demonstrate sharing workbook features.

Cell	Value
A1	Name
B1	Task
C1	Status
A2	Alice
B2	Design
C2	Complete
A3	Bob
B3	Development
C3	In Progress
A4	Carol
B4	Testing
C4	Not Started

Formula Trace

=IF(C2="Complete", "Done", "Pending")

Step 1: C2="Complete"

Step 2: IF(TRUE, "Done", "Pending")

Cell Reference Map

    A       B           C
1 | Name  | Task      | Status   |
2 | Alice | Design    | Complete |
3 | Bob   | Development | In Progress |
4 | Carol | Testing   | Not Started |

Formula references cell C2 to check status.

The formula checks the value in cell C2 to decide if the task is done or pending.

Result

    A       B           C          D
1 | Name  | Task      | Status   | Result  |
2 | Alice | Design    | Complete | Done    |
3 | Bob   | Development | In Progress | Pending |
4 | Carol | Testing   | Not Started | Pending |

The formula in column D shows 'Done' for Alice's task because the status is 'Complete'. Other rows would show 'Pending' if the formula is copied down.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the formula check in cell C2?

A If the task is Design

B If the name is Alice

C If the task is complete

D If the status is Pending

Key Result

IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false) checks a condition and returns one value if true, another if false.