Checking unconnected copper in PCB Design - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data shows PCB nets with their pad counts and copper area in square millimeters. 'NC' nets have zero pads but some copper area, indicating possible unconnected copper.

Cell	Value
A1	Net Name
B1	Pad Count
C1	Copper Area (mm2)
A2	GND
B2	10
C2	50
A3	VCC
B3	8
C3	40
A4	NC1
B4	0
C4	5
A5	NC2
B5	0
C5	3
A6	SIGNAL1
B6	5
C6	20

Formula Trace

=FILTER(A2:A6, (B2:B6=0) * (C2:C6>0))

Step 1: B2:B6=0

Step 2: C2:C6>0

Step 3: (B2:B6=0) * (C2:C6>0)

Step 4: FILTER(A2:A6, [FALSE, FALSE, TRUE, TRUE, FALSE])

Cell Reference Map

     A       B       C
1  Net    Pad Ct  Copper
2  GND       10      50
3  VCC        8      40
4  NC1        0       5
5  NC2        0       3
6  SIGNAL1    5      20

References:
- B2:B6 for Pad Count
- C2:C6 for Copper Area
- A2:A6 for Net Names

The formula uses pad counts and copper area columns to find nets with zero pads but positive copper area, then returns their net names.

Result

     A       B       C
1  Net    Pad Ct  Copper
2  GND       10      50
3  VCC        8      40
4  NC1        0       5  <-- Unconnected copper
5  NC2        0       3  <-- Unconnected copper
6  SIGNAL1    5      20

Result: Filtered list shows NC1 and NC2 as unconnected copper nets.

The result highlights nets NC1 and NC2 as having copper but no pads, indicating unconnected copper areas on the PCB.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Which nets have zero pads according to the formula evaluation?

A NC1 and NC2

B GND and VCC

C SIGNAL1 only

D All nets

Key Result

FILTER(range, (condition1) * (condition2)) returns items meeting both conditions