Excel ISNONTEXT Function
The ISNONTEXT function checks if a cell contains non-text values. It returns TRUE for numbers, errors, blanks, or logical values, and FALSE for text.
Excel
Google SheetsExcelGoogle Sheets=ISNONTEXT(value)Quick Answer
ISNONTEXT function ISNONTEXT function is a logical information function in Excel and Google Sheets that checks whether a value is not text. It returns TRUE for numbers, errors, blank cells, and logical values (TRUE/FALSE), and returns FALSE only for text strings.
=ISNONTEXT(value)- value - the cell reference or data to test
- It excels at data quality checks and typically saves significant time when processing imported data or user input.
Practical Examples
Basic Non-Text Detection
Checking if cells contain non-text values
Data Type Validation
Identifying numeric entries in mixed data columns
Error Detection
Identifying errors and non-numeric results
Blank Cell Detection
Identifying empty cells in data validation
Data Import Validation
Validating imported data contains expected types
Common Errors and Solutions
ISNONTEXT returns #VALUE! error
Invalid number of arguments provided to the function
ISNONTEXT accepts exactly one argument. Check that you have provided only a single cell reference or value.
Always provide exactly one argument: =ISNONTEXT(A1) not =ISNONTEXT(A1,B1)
Example:
ISNONTEXT returns unexpected TRUE/FALSE
Numbers stored as text are treated as text by Excel, returning FALSE instead of expected TRUE
Convert text-formatted numbers to actual numbers using VALUE() function: =ISNONTEXT(VALUE(A1))
Check data format before using ISNONTEXT. Use ISNUMBER to verify numeric values specifically.
Example:
ISNONTEXT returns TRUE for empty cells unexpectedly
ISNONTEXT considers blank cells as non-text, which may be counterintuitive
Combine with ISBLANK to handle empty cells separately: =IF(ISBLANK(A1),"Empty",IF(ISNONTEXT(A1),"Number","Text"))
Remember that blank cells are considered non-text. Use ISBLANK first if you need to handle empty cells differently.
Example:
Best Practices and Pro Tips
Combine with ISNUMBER for Precision
While ISNONTEXT returns TRUE for numbers, blanks, errors, and logical values, use ISNUMBER when you specifically need to verify numeric values only. This provides more precise validation for data quality checks.
Watch Out for Number-as-Text
Numbers formatted as text will return FALSE with ISNONTEXT. Always check data formatting when importing from external sources to avoid validation errors.
Data Validation Strategy
Use ISNONTEXT as part of a comprehensive validation strategy: check for blanks first with ISBLANK, then errors with ISERROR, then use ISNONTEXT for final type checking.
Conditional Formatting Application
ISNONTEXT is excellent for conditional formatting rules to highlight cells containing non-text values in columns that should contain only text entries, or vice versa.
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Example Excel formula:
Related Formulas
The ISBLANK function checks if a cell is empty, returning TRUE for empty cells and FALSE for cells with any value. Master blank cell detection.
ExcelSheetsThe ISERROR function checks if a value or formula results in any Excel error and returns TRUE or FALSE. Master error detection and handling.
ExcelSheetsThe ISNUMBER function checks if a cell contains a numeric value and returns TRUE or FALSE. Master ISNUMBER with practical examples and error solutions.
ExcelSheetsMaster the ISTEXT function with examples and solutions. Learn to check if cells contain text in Excel and Sheets for data validation.
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