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Do you want to learn how to use Excel to determine whether a number is "pass" or "fail"? For example, if a kid scores more than 60 marks on a test, it's considered a pass. If not, it's a failure. This is really helpful for teachers, parents, or anyone who uses Excel. Excel is like a simple grid where you put numbers and words. Formulas are little commands that tell Excel what to do. In this blog, we will show you how to use the pass or fail formula in Excel step by step.
Before we start, let’s briefly review the pass or fail formula. Well, it is a way to tell Excel: "If the score is good, say 'pass'. If not, say 'fail'." We use the IF function in Excel for this. IF means "if this happens, do that." For example, if a test needs 50 marks to pass, Excel checks the score. Over 50? Pass. Under 50? Fail. You can make your work easy by using this.
Excel is like a notebook. It does math for you. Without formulas, you can check each score by hand. That takes forever if you have lots of names. With this formula, Excel does the work fast. It's interesting to see it change when you add new scores. Plus, you can copy it to many cells. No more mistakes.
You need Excel on your computer. Any version will work. Open Excel, and then you can make a simple table. For example, in cell A1, you can write "Name". In B1, write "Score". In C1, write "Result" and so on. Then, you can add some names in column A. Like "Tom" in A2, "Lily" in A3. Put scores in column B. Like 60 in B2, 40 in B3. Now, we're ready to add the formula in column C.
Let’s break it down. We’ll explore how the formula works, where to type it, and how to set your pass mark. Then, we’ll see how Excel checks each score and gives the right result. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make Excel decide between “Pass” and “Fail” for any list of numbers.
Go to cell C2. That's where we want "pass" or "fail" for Tom.
Now, to get a true value, what you have to do is:
And for a false statement, what you have to do is:
Now it’s time to see the result, so click enter. If Tom's score is 60, it says "Pass".
For Lily's 40, copy the formula to C3. Click C2, drag the corner down.
It changes to =IF(B3>=50, "Pass", "Fail").
Plain text is fine, but colours make your results pop. Imagine seeing a bright green “Pass” and a bold red “Fail” at a glance; it’s so much easier to read. You can use Excel’s Conditional Formatting to do this. Just set a rule for “Pass” to turn green and “Fail” to turn red. Not only does it make your sheet look better, but it also helps you spot results quickly without reading every word. Perfect for reports, scoreboards, or even friendly competitions.
So, what you need to do is first, do the formula like above to get Pass or Fail in column C.
Then:
Now, pass is green, fail is red.
Sometimes “Pass” isn’t just about a single score; it’s about meeting multiple conditions. For example, maybe a student needs to pass all three tests and complete at least one extra assignment. Or in sports, a team might need to win a certain number of matches and score a minimum number of points.
That’s where Excel’s AND and OR functions come in. You can combine them with IF to create rules. AND checks if all conditions are true before saying “Pass,” while OR checks if at least one condition is true. This way, your pass or fail formula can also handle complex situations. For example, scores in B2 to D2 must all be 50 or more, and at least one in E2 to G2.
This counts how many are good and checks. Or, if different weights: Like column A gives 50% if yes, B 15%, C 35%. A total of over 50% is passed.
Adds up points.
You can nest IFs, like IF inside IF, for grades: A if over 90, B if over 80, else C or Fail. But don't nest too many, or it gets messy. Use IFS for that.
People make mistakes sometimes. Here's what to watch.
Here are some queries people usually ask:
What if my score is exactly 50?
If you put >=50, it says "pass". The >= means 50 or more. If you want over 50 only, use >50. That means 51 or up.
Can I use it for colours or stars?
Of course, you can add colours after using the formula. You just have to go to Home. Click Conditional Formatting. Choose green for pass. Red for fail. Or you can also use any symbols for pass.
Can I do it for letters like A, B, and C?
Yes, but a bit more. Use more IFs inside. Like =IF(B2>=90,"A",IF(B2>=80,"B","C")) . Start small. Add one by one.
Is this only for school?
Of course, no. You can use it for anything. Like, did I save enough money? Pass. Or team points in sports. Fun for all.
How do I copy it to many rows?
You just have to click the cell with the formula. See the little square in the corner? Drag down. It copies and changes cells auto.
What if I have more than one condition?
You can combine the IF formula with AND or OR functions to handle multiple checks, like passing several tests or meeting extra requirements.
Why is my formula not working?
Common issues include:
The Pass or Fail formula turns Excel into your own personal decision-maker. Once you set the rules, it instantly checks every score and gives you the answer, no stress, no manual checking. From grading students to tracking game scores or project results, it works in seconds. Add a splash of colour, combine it with AND/OR for more complex checks, and suddenly your spreadsheet isn’t just functional, it’s smart and easy to use. The best part? Once you’ve mastered it, you can reuse it for almost anything that needs a quick “yes” or “no.” So go ahead, open Excel, try it out, and watch your data come to life.
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