FORMULATEXT

Formulas / FORMULATEXT
Retrieve the formula in a cell as text.
=FORMULATEXT(reference)
  • reference - required cell or cell range reference

Examples

    The FORMULATEXT function returns the formula used in a cell as a text string. This is useful if you want to refer to the text of a formula instead of the result of a formula. For example, if cell A1 contains the formula =A2+A3, then =FORMULATEXT(A1) will return the text string =A2+A3.

    The FORMULATEXT function is not limited to just one cell reference. You can also use it to return the text of a formula which uses multiple cell references. For example, if cell A1 contains the formula =A2+A3+A4, then =FORMULATEXT(A1) will return the text string =A2+A3+A4.

    The FORMULATEXT function can also be used with other Sourcetable functions. For example, if cell A1 contains the formula =SUM(A2:A4), then =FORMULATEXT(A1) will return the text string =SUM(A2:A4).

    You can also use the FORMULATEXT function to return the text of nested formulas. For example, if cell A1 contains the formula =SUM(A2:A4*A5), then =FORMULATEXT(A1) will return the text string =SUM(A2:A4*A5).


Summary

The FORMULATEXT function returns a formula as a text string from a cell reference. It was introduced in Excel 2013 and can take up to 8192 characters. With Sourcetable, it can return more than one result from a range with formulas.

  • The FORMULATEXT function can be used to extract a formula from a cell, which can then be processed as data in another formula.
  • The text returned by the FORMULATEXT function can also be used to extract text from a cell using another formula.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FORMULATEXT function in Sourcetable?
The FORMULATEXT function in Sourcetable is a function that returns a formula as a string. It requires a reference argument, which can be a reference to a cell or range of cells, a workbook that is not open, a row or column in an array, or a range or named reference containing more than one cell.
What is the syntax for the FORMULATEXT function?
The syntax for the FORMULATEXT function is FORMULATEXT(reference).
What types of references can be used as an argument for the FORMULATEXT function?
The reference argument can be:
  • A reference to a cell or range of cells
  • A workbook that is not open
  • A row or column in an array
  • A range or named reference containing more than one cell
Does entering a reference to the cell where the FORMULATEXT function is entered create a circular reference warning?
No, entering a reference to the cell where the FORMULATEXT function is entered does not create a circular reference warning.

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