The ISTEXT function
Returns TRUE if a value is text and FALSE otherwise. Numbers stored as text count as text; empty cells do not.
Syntax
ISTEXT(value)- value
- The cell, value or formula result to check.
Examples
C1=ISTEXT(A2)
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Value | TRUE | |
| 2 | Ann | ||
| 3 | 42 | ||
| 4 | 42 |
C1=ISTEXT(A3)
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Value | FALSE | |
| 2 | Ann | ||
| 3 | 42 | ||
| 4 | 42 |
C1=SUMPRODUCT(--ISTEXT(A2:A4))
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Value | 2 | |
| 2 | Ann | ||
| 3 | 42 | ||
| 4 | 42 |
Questions
Does ISTEXT count an empty cell as text?
No, an empty cell gives FALSE. A formula that returns empty text, like ="", does count as text and gives TRUE.
How do I find numbers stored as text?
ISTEXT returns TRUE for them, even though they look like numbers. Use it in a helper column or in conditional formatting to mark them, then convert them with VALUE.