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.

Practice

1. What does the IF function do in Google Sheets?

easy

A. It sorts data alphabetically.

B. It checks a condition and returns one value if true, another if false.

C. It adds two numbers together.

D. It counts the number of cells with numbers.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of IF function

   The IF function tests a condition and chooses between two results based on that test.

2. Step 2: Match the description to the options

   It checks a condition and returns one value if true, another if false. correctly describes this behavior, while others describe different functions.

3. Final Answer:

   It checks a condition and returns one value if true, another if false. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   IF function = condition check [OK]

Hint: IF chooses between two results based on a condition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking IF adds or counts values
• Confusing IF with sorting functions
• Ignoring the true/false result structure

2. Which of these is the correct syntax for the IF function in Google Sheets?

easy

A. =IF(value_if_true, condition, value_if_false)

B. =IF(condition; value_if_false; value_if_true)

C. =IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false)

D. =IF(condition value_if_true value_if_false)

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the IF function syntax

   The correct order is: condition, value if true, value if false, separated by commas.

2. Step 2: Compare options to syntax

   =IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false) matches the correct syntax exactly. Others have wrong order, separators, or missing commas.

3. Final Answer:

   =IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false) -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Syntax = condition, true, false [OK]

Hint: Remember: IF(condition, true_result, false_result) [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping true and false results
• Using semicolons instead of commas
• Omitting commas between arguments

3. Given cell A1 contains 75, what is the result of =IF(A1>50, "Pass", "Fail")?

medium

A. "Pass"

B. "Fail"

C. 75

D. TRUE

Solution

1. Step 1: Evaluate the condition A1>50

   Since A1 is 75, which is greater than 50, the condition is TRUE.

2. Step 2: Determine the IF function output

   Because the condition is TRUE, the function returns the value_if_true, which is "Pass".

3. Final Answer:

   "Pass" -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   75 > 50 = Pass [OK]

Hint: Check condition first, then pick true or false result [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Returning the cell value instead of the IF result
• Confusing true and false outputs
• Ignoring the comparison operator

4. The formula =IF(A2=100, "Yes", "No" is entered in a cell. What is wrong with it?

medium

A. Missing closing parenthesis at the end.

B. Wrong comparison operator used.

C. The true and false results are reversed.

D. The formula uses quotes incorrectly.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the formula syntax

   The formula is missing a closing parenthesis at the end, which is required to close the IF function.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts of the formula

   The comparison operator (=) and the true/false results are correct, and quotes are properly used around text.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing closing parenthesis at the end. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Syntax error = missing parenthesis [OK]

Hint: Count your parentheses to avoid syntax errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to close parentheses
• Mixing up = and == operators
• Misplacing quotes around text

5. You want to mark students as "Passed" if their score in cell B2 is 60 or more, and "Failed" otherwise. Which formula correctly does this?

hard

A. =IF(B2=60, "Passed", "Failed")

B. =IF(B2>60, "Passed", "Failed")

C. =IF(B2<60, "Passed", "Failed")

D. =IF(B2>=60, "Passed", "Failed")

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the passing condition

   Students pass if their score is 60 or more, so the condition should be B2 >= 60.

2. Step 2: Check each option's condition

   =IF(B2>=60, "Passed", "Failed") uses >= 60, which matches the requirement. =IF(B2>60, "Passed", "Failed") excludes 60, the one with <60 reverses pass/fail logic, and the one with =60 only passes exactly 60.

3. Final Answer:

   =IF(B2>=60, "Passed", "Failed") -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Score >= 60 = Passed [OK]

Hint: Use >= for '60 or more' condition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using > instead of >= to include 60
• Reversing pass and fail results
• Checking only for equality (=60)