FORMULATEXT Excel Function - Step by Step Examples, How To Use?

What Is FORMULATEXT Function In Excel?

The FORMULATEXT Excel function displays the formula used in a selected cell or a cell range in the form of a text. This function helps us extract the formula used in a cell instead of just viewing the result or the formula in the formula bar. The FORMULATEXT function in Excel is an inbuilt “Lookup & Reference” function, so we can insert the formula from the “Function Library” or enter it directly in the worksheet.

For example, we will apply the FORMULATEXT function to display the formula used in the image below.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does the FORMULATEXT Excel function mean?

The FORMULATEXT function converts and returns the output of a given formula in the text string format.

The FORMULATEXT function is =FORMULATEXT(reference)

For example, we will fetch the output formula using the FORMULATEXT function.

In the table, the data is,
• Column A contains the Value.
• Here, column B contains the Formula Cells.
• Column C contains the Output.

The procedure to find the formula using the FORMULATEXT formula is,
Select cell C2, enter the formula =FORMULATEXT(B2), and press the “Enter” key.

The result is “=A2”, as shown above.

2. How to insert the FORMULATEXT Excel function?

We can insert the FORMULATEXT function as follows:
1. Select an empty cell for the output.
2. Type =FORMULATEXT( in the selected cell. [Alternatively, type =F and double-click the FORMULATEXT function from the list of suggestions shown by Excel.]
3. Enter the arguments as only cell references and close the brackets.
4. Press the “Enter” key.

For example, the image depicts the value, and we will fetch the output formula using the FORMULATEXT function.

In the table, the data is,
• Column A contains the Value.
• Here, column B contains the Formula Cell.
• Column C contains the Output.

The procedure to find the formula using the FORMULATEXT formula is,
Select cell C2, enter the formula =FORMULATEXT(B2), and press the “Enter” key.

The result is “TRIM(A2)”, as shown above.

3. Where is the FORMULATEXT Excel function?

The FORMULATEXT function is in the “Formulas” tab, as shown below.

Choose an empty cell for the output → select the “Formulas” tab → go to the “Function Library” group → click the “Lookup & Reference” option drop-down → select the “FORMULATEXT” function, as shown below.

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