Track changes and comments in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

A simple task list with status and comments where changes and comments can be tracked.

Cell	Value
A1	Task
B1	Status
C1	Comments
A2	Write report
B2	In Progress
C2	Needs review
A3	Send email
B3	Completed
C3	Sent on time
A4	Update website
B4	Pending
C4

Formula Trace

=IF(B2="Completed", "Done", "Not Done")

Step 1: B2="Completed"

Step 2: IF(FALSE, "Done", "Not Done")

Cell Reference Map

    A          B           C
1 | Task     | Status    | Comments
2 | Write report | In Progress | Needs review
3 | Send email  | Completed  | Sent on time
4 | Update website | Pending   | 

Arrow: B2 -> formula cell

The formula references cell B2 to check the status of the task in row 2.

Result

    A          B           C           D
1 | Task     | Status    | Comments   | Result
2 | Write report | In Progress | Needs review | Not Done
3 | Send email  | Completed  | Sent on time | 
4 | Update website | Pending   |             | 

The formula in column D evaluates the status in column B and shows 'Not Done' for row 2 because the status is 'In Progress'.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the formula =IF(B2="Completed", "Done", "Not Done") check?

A If the task status is Completed

B If the task status is Pending

C If the comment is empty

D If the task name is Write report

Key Result

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