How to use the Spreadsheet Formula Debugger.
Formula debugging needs the actual formula, sample cells and expected outcome. Separate syntax problems from incorrect assumptions about the data.
Make the workflow fit your task.
Capture the exact formula, application, error and a small set of input cells. Separate parsing errors from valid formulas returning the wrong answer. Correct one cause at a time and compare with an expected result supplied independently.
- What you provide
- Formula, error and sample cells.
- What you get
- Cause analysis and corrected formula proposal.
See the input and the result.
Illustrative input and output · a teaching example, not a live WebAct run
Example input
Formula =SUM(B2:B5 is missing its closing parenthesis.
Completed example
Proposed syntax correction: =SUM(B2:B5). Then verify that B2:B5 is the intended range.
Load this input into the prompt, then copy it to WebAct to try the task. Your result may differ from the illustration.
Decisions and troubleshooting.
Should IFERROR wrap every failing formula?
Only after deciding what the error means. Hiding a broken reference or invalid input can make an incorrect workbook look complete.
Why does a corrected formula still fail after pasting?
Check your locale's argument separators and function availability. A comma-separated formula may need semicolons in a different workbook environment.
Try it with your own source.
Replace the example with your material in the task prompt. Keep the requirements you need, then copy the task into WebAct.
Customize and copy the task ↑