IF function in Google Sheets - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data shows student scores in column A. We want to check if each score is passing (>=50) or failing.

Cell	Value
A1	Score
A2	85
A3	40
B1	Result

Formula Trace

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

Step 1: A2>=50

Step 2: 85>=50

Step 3: IF(TRUE, "Pass", "Fail")

Cell Reference Map

    A       B
1 | Score | Result
2 |  85   |  <-- formula here
3 |  40   |

The formula in B2 uses the value from A2 to decide the result.

Result

    A       B
1 | Score | Result
2 |  85   | Pass
3 |  40   |

The formula in B2 shows "Pass" because 85 is greater than or equal to 50.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the condition A2>=50 check?

A If the score in A2 is at least 50

B If the score in A2 is less than 50

C If the score in A2 equals 50 only

D If the score in A2 is negative

Key Result

IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false) returns value_if_true when condition is TRUE, else value_if_false.