Sparklines in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

Monthly sales data from January to May in row 2. Row 1 has month labels. Cell F2 will contain the sparkline showing the sales trend.

Cell	Value
A1	Jan
B1	Feb
C1	Mar
D1	Apr
E1	May
A2	10
B2	15
C2	12
D2	20
E2	18
F2
A3	Sales Trend

Formula Trace

=SPARKLINE(A2:E2)

Step 1: SPARKLINE(A2:E2)

Cell Reference Map

    A     B     C     D     E     F
1 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |     |
2 | 10  | 15  | 12  | 20  | 18  |  *  |
3 | Sales Trend                  |     |

The formula in cell F2 references the range A2:E2 which contains the sales data for five months.

Result

    A     B     C     D     E     F
1 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |     |
2 | 10  | 15  | 12  | 20  | 18  | ▂▅▃▇▆ |
3 | Sales Trend                  |     |

Cell F2 shows a sparkline (mini line chart) representing the sales trend from January to May. The line rises and falls according to the sales values.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the SPARKLINE function in cell F2 use as input?

A The sales numbers from January to May in cells A2:E2

B The month names in cells A1:E1

C The label 'Sales Trend' in cell A3

D Empty cell F2 itself

Key Result

SPARKLINE(range) creates a mini chart inside a cell showing the trend of values in the range.