Feb 03, 2015

Sometimes, understanding how a nested formula in Microsoft Excel calculates the final result is difficult because there are several intermediate calculations and logical tests. However, by reverse engineering the formula, you can test the different parts of a nested formula from the inner nest outwards. The example below shows how you can test the inner formulas first (in this case the AND function)  and then when you have tested it and know that it gives the correct result, build the second formula (in this case the IF function).

Often, it is easier to see the steps from the inside-out rather than attempting to write the formula from left to right and trying to get all the brackets opening and closing in the correct places, making sure all commas and quotations marks are in the correct order. To find out more about nested formula in Excel, take a look at New Horizons’ Excel training courses.