Imagine you have created a super long formula in Excel. While you are proud of yourself, there is a minor glitch. It is returning an error or an unexpected value.
Now you have two options:
- Either recreate it again or go through it manually one step at a time, OR
- Use the 2 formula debugging techniques I am about to share. Keep reading!
Excel Formula Debugging Method #1 – F9 Key
Here is how this works:
- Go to the cell which has the formula
- Enter into an edit mode (press F2)
- Select the entire formula and press F9 – This will give you the result of the entire formula
- You can also select a sub-part of the formula and use this same technique
For example, suppose you have the text TrumpExcel in Cell A1, and in cell A3 you have the following formula:
=IF(A1="Trumpexcel","Right","Wrong") 
Also read: Formulas Not Working In Excel
Excel Formula Debugging Method #2 – Evaluate Formula Step by Step
- Suppose you have the same formula as above in cell C1
=IF(A1="Trumpexcel","Right","Wrong") - Select the cell that has the formula (C1 in this case)
- Click on Formula Tab
- Click on Evaluate Formula (Keyboard Shortcut – Alt + TUF). This will open the Evaluate Formula Dialogue Box
- Press Evaluate One by One to sift through the steps and their results
Other Excel tutorials you may find useful:
2 thoughts on “Identify Errors Using Excel Formula Debugging (2 Methods)”
Is there any addins developed to debug big formulas?..By using evaluate option i cannot do back step right?
Hello Karthik.. Thanks for commenting.. I usually go with the F9 key debugging method. It has the benefit as you can debug in parts and can also go back (by hitting Control + Z). I am not aware of any add-in for formula debugging.