How to check and debug a formula with F9

Abstract

One thing you’ll frequently do in Excel is check or debug formulas.

Here we have a simple list of names.

you’ve got the option to do this quickly by using Go To Special > Formulas.

you might see that both Age and Status are calculated values.

Now let’s use the F9 key to see what the STATUS formula is doing.

In general, it’s easier to debug a formula in the formula bar.

And you may want to expand the formula bar to give yourself more space to work.

To display the tooltip, click directly on or inside any function.

after you grab an argument selected, press the F9 key to evaluate.

Press the Escape key to exit the formula editor without making changes.

Pay attention to your selection before you press F9.

Again, press Escape to exit without making changes.

Now let’s look at the formula that calculates Age.

you’re able to see that the formula uses two functions: YEARFRAC and INT.

Next, theYEARFRAC functionreturns years as a fractional value.

Use the F9 key whenever you want to understand or debug a formula.