Are you trying to extract alphanumeric characters from an Excel string but are unsure which Excel function to use? To solve this problem, you can refer to how to use Excels string extraction functions (LEFT, RIGHT, MID functions) to extract text from a cell, extract substrings before or after a specified character, find cells containing part of a string, etc.
What are the functions for extracting strings in Excel ? While there isn't a specific string extraction function in Excel, you can use the MID function along with the LEFT and RIGHT functions to extract a string of a certain length. Additionally, you can use the FIND and SEARCH functions to extract a substring before or after a specific character. Below, you'll find formula examples to accomplish all of this and more.
A compilation of character extraction functions in Excel and how to use them.
I. Using the MID function to extract conditional characters in Excel
The function of the MID function is to extract n characters from a string starting from position m.
Syntax: MID: =MID(text, start_num, num_chars)
In there:
- text: the string to be extracted
- start_num: the starting position of the string to be extracted
- num_chars: the number of characters to extract from the string
* Example:
We have a data table listing students and the requirement is to filter out the major code from the student's class name. This corresponds to the first two characters of the class name.
Step 1: Enter the formula in cell E7: =MID(D7,4,2) then press Enter . Extract the first two characters from the fourth character in cell E7.
Step 2: The result will appear as shown below. Scroll down to repeat the process for the remaining cells.
II. Using the LEFT and RIGHT string extraction functions in Excel
Besides the MID function, the LEFT and RIGHT functions are also two functions that extract the character corresponding to the left and right sides of a string.
- LEFT function syntax : =LEFT(text, [num_chars])
- RIGHT function syntax : RIGHT(text,[num_chars])
In there:
- Text: The text string containing the characters you want to extract (required)
- Num_chars: The number of characters you want the RIGHT function to extract (optional)
- Num_chars must be greater than or equal to zero.
+ If Num_chars is greater than the length of the text, the RIGHT function returns the entire text.
+ If Num_chars is omitted, Excel defaults to 1.
* Example of a function to extract numeric characters in Excel:
Case 1: Using the RIGHT function
To extract the three rightmost characters of the student ID in column H, we use the RIGHT function and enter the formula: =RIGHT(H5,3)
Scenario 2: Using the LEFT function
Similarly, to extract the numeric character from column J of the table below, we use the LEFT function and enter the following formula: =LEFT(J5,2)
Above is a guide on using string extraction functions in Excel. Now you know which functions are used to extract strings in Excel. To further enhance your Excel knowledge, you should learn about other functions such as the SUMIF function for conditional summation, the SUM function for easily calculating sums vertically, and countless other Excel functions mentioned and explained in detail by TipsMake. If you encounter any difficulties during the process, don't hesitate to comment below; the TipsMake technical team will assist you.