Excel MID Function
Summary
The Excel MID function extracts a given number of characters from the middle of a supplied text string. For example, =MID("apple",2,3) returns "ppl".
Purpose
Extract text from inside a string
Return value
The characters extracted.
Syntax
=MID (text, start_num, num_chars)
Arguments
- text - The text to extract from.
- start_num - The location of the first character to extract.
- num_chars - The number of characters to extract.
Usage notes
- MID returns a specific number of characters from a text string, starting at start_num and continuing through start_num + num_chars.
- Use the MID function when you want to extract text from inside a text string, based on location and length.
- You can use FIND or SEARCH to locate start_num when you don't know the location in advance.
MID formula examples
To list worksheets in an Excel workbook, you can use a 2-step approach: (1) define a named range called "sheetnames" with an old macro command and (2) use an INDEX formula to retrieve sheet names using the named range....
To remove numeric characters from a text string, you can try this experimental formula based on the TEXTJOIN function, new in Excel 2016. In the example shown, the formula in C5 is:
=TEXTJOIN("",TRUE,IF(...
To extract a word that contains specific text,you can use a formula based on several functions, including TRIM, LEFT, SUBSTITUTE, MID, MAX, and REPT. You can use this formula to extract things like email addresses, or...
To abbreviate text that contains capital letters, you can try this array formula based on the TEXTJOIN function, which is new in Excel 2016. You can use this approach to create initials from names, or to create acronyms...
To count numbers where the third digit equals 3, you can use a formula based on the SUMPRODUCT and MID functions. In the example shown, the formula in E5 is:
=SUMPRODUCT(--(MID(B5:B12,3,1)="3"))
How this...
If you need to get the nth word in a text string (i.e. a sentence, phrase, or paragraph) you can so with a clever (and intimidating) formula that combines 5 Excel functions: TRIM, MID, SUBSTITUTE, REPT, and LEN.
How...
To get the name of the current worksheet (i.e. current tab) you can use a formula based on the CELL function. CELL retrieves the workbook name and sheet, and the MID and FIND functions are used to extract just the...
To extract text between parentheses, braces, brackets, etc. you can use a formula based on the MID function, with help from SEARCH function. In the example shown, the formula in C5 is:
=MID(B5,SEARCH("(",B5...
If you need to get the middle name from a full name, and you already have the first and last names in separate cells, you can use a formula that extracts the middle name using the MID and LEN functions, with help from...
Top convert a timestamp entered as text into a proper Excel time, you can use the MID function to extract components and the TIME function to assemble the time. In the example shown, the formula in F5 is:
=TIME(MID(B5...
To convert text in an unrecognized date format to a proper Excel date, you can parse the text and assemble a proper date with a formula based on several functions: DATE, LEFT, MID, and RIGHT.
Note: Before you go the...
When date information from other systems is pasted or imported to Excel, it may not be recognized as a proper date or time. Instead, Excel may interpret this information as a text or string value only.
To convert a...
To split text at an arbitrary delimiter (comma, space, pipe, etc.) you can use a formula based on the TRIM, MID, SUBSTITUTE, REPT, and LEN functions. In the example shown, the formula in C5 is:
=TRIM(MID(SUBSTITUTE($...
If you want to get the workbook name only (i.e. the file name without path or sheet name) you can do so with a rather long formula that uses the MID function along with the FIND function.
How the formula works
The cell...
To remove non-numeric characters from a text string, you can try this experimental formula based on the TEXTJOIN function, new in Excel 2016. In the example shown, the formula in C5 is:
{=TEXTJOIN("",TRUE,...
Related functions
Good links
