What to do when if cell contains specific text

Answer

To handle a cell that contains specific text in Excel, use the IF, SEARCH, or COUNTIF functions to detect the text and return a result. Excel checks each cell and returns a value based on the match.

How to check whether a cell contains specific text

A cell contains specific text when the SEARCH function finds a match. The SEARCH function returns a number greater than zero when the text exists.

Windows and Mac Differences

Excel uses the same formulas on Windows and Mac. Keyboard shortcuts differ, but formula behavior stays identical across both systems.

Formula for detecting specific text

Use this structure:

=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("text", A1)), "Yes", "No")

Explanation

• SEARCH("text", A1) finds the starting position of the text.

• ISNUMBER(...) confirms the presence of the text.

• IF(...) returns your chosen output.

How to return a custom value when text is found

A user returns any custom value, such as a category or label.

Example (LaTeX not required here)

=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("apple", A1)), "Fruit Found", "Not Found")

How to apply an action when a cell contains text

Use a structured workflow:

1. Identify the specific text to check.

2. Select the output or action Excel should perform.

3. Insert the IF and SEARCH formula.

4. Drag the formula down to extend it across multiple rows.

5. Validate cell outputs to confirm matches.

How to highlight cells containing specific text

Conditional Formatting applies color-coding to matched cells.

1. Select the range.

2. Open Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule.

3. Choose Format only cells that contain.

4. Set Specific Text and type the text.

5. Apply formatting and confirm.

How to count how many cells contain specific text

Use COUNTIF to return the total number of matching cells.

=COUNTIF(A1:A100, "*text*")

The asterisks match text anywhere in the cell.

How to extract part of a cell when specific text exists

A custom extraction uses IF and MID.

1. Detect the text with SEARCH.

2. Return a substring with MID.

3. Use LEN to set the extraction length when needed.

   =IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("code", A1)), MID(A1, 1, 10), "")

How to run multiple text checks at once

Multiple conditions run through OR.

=IF(OR(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("apple", A1)), ISNUMBER(SEARCH("pear", A1))), "Match", "No Match")

How to avoid errors when the text does not exist

SEARCH returns an error when no match exists. IFERROR prevents the error.

=IFERROR(SEARCH("text", A1), "")

How to create a more flexible check

Case-insensitive checks rely on SEARCH. Case-sensitive checks use FIND.

=IF(ISNUMBER(FIND("Text", A1)), "Exact Case Match", "No Match")

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