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Google Sheetsspreadsheet~10 mins

Why Apps Script automates Google Sheets - Formula Trace Breakdown

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Sample Data

A simple task list showing tasks and their status before automation.

CellValue
A1Task
B1Status
A2Send emails
B2Pending
A3Update report
B3Pending
A4Calculate totals
B4Pending
Formula Trace
IF(B2="Pending", "Send reminder", "Done")
Step 1: B2="Pending"
Step 2: IF(TRUE, "Send reminder", "Done")
Cell Reference Map
    A           B
1 | Task       | Status    |
2 | Send emails| Pending   | <-- referenced by formula
3 | Update report| Pending   |
4 | Calculate totals| Pending   |
The formula checks the status in cell B2 to decide the output.
Result
    A           B           C
1 | Task       | Status    | Reminder     |
2 | Send emails| Pending   | Send reminder|
3 | Update report| Pending   |             |
4 | Calculate totals| Pending   |             |
The formula in column C shows 'Send reminder' for tasks with status 'Pending'.
Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions
Test your understanding
What does the formula IF(B2="Pending", "Send reminder", "Done") return if B2 is 'Pending'?
ADone
BSend reminder
CPending
DError
Key Result
IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false) returns one value if condition is true, another if false.