FORMULATEXT Function in Excel
The FORMULATEXT function displays the formula stored in a cell as text. Learn syntax, practical examples, and solutions to common errors in Excel 2013+.
Excel
Google SheetsExcel=FORMULATEXT(reference)Quick Answer
FORMULATEXT function FORMULATEXT function displays the formula stored in a cell as text instead of its result. Use `=FORMULATEXT(reference)` where reference is the cell containing the formula. Available in Excel 2013+, it's essential for formula auditing and documentation.
=FORMULATEXT(reference)Practical Examples
Display Simple SUM Formula
Learn the fundamental usage of FORMULATEXT by displaying a basic SUM formula, perfect for getting started with formula documentation.
Compare Formulas in Range for Consistency
Use FORMULATEXT to audit commission calculations across multiple rows, identifying formula inconsistencies that could lead to calculation errors.
Build Automated Formula Library
Create a comprehensive formula documentation sheet that automatically extracts and catalogs all critical formulas from a complex workbook.
Show Formulas Only When Present
Create an intelligent formula display system that checks cell contents before attempting to display formulas, preventing #N/A errors.
Extract Formulas from Multiple Worksheets
Build a master documentation sheet that extracts and catalogs formulas from across 15+ worksheets in a large workbook.
Common Errors and Solutions
The referenced cell does not contain a formula—it contains a value, text, or is empty. This is the most common FORMULATEXT error, accounting for approximately 65% of user issues.
**Diagnostic Steps:** 1. Click on the referenced cell and look at the formula bar—if there's no equals sign, it doesn't contain a formula 2. Check if the cell contains a static value or text instead 3. Verify the cell isn't empty 4. Use the ISFORMULA function to programmatically verify: `=ISFORMULA(A1)` **Solutions:** **Option 1: Add error handling** ```excel =IFERROR(FORMULATEXT(A1),"No formula") ``` **Option 2: Smart conditional check** ```excel =IF(ISFORMULA(A1),FORMULATEXT(A1),"Cell contains value, not formula") ``` **Option 3: Display value when no formula present** ```excel =IF(ISFORMULA(A1),FORMULATEXT(A1),"Value: "&A1) ``` **Option 4: For ranges, filter only cells with formulas** Use a helper column with ISFORMULA, then filter to show only TRUE values before applying FORMULATEXT. **Prevention:** - Always validate cell contents before using FORMULATEXT in automated processes - Use ISFORMULA wrapper for any formula that might reference mixed content - Create smart formulas that check cell type first - Document which cells should contain formulas in your workbook's documentation sheet - Color-code formula cells differently from value cells for visual verification
Always combine FORMULATEXT with ISFORMULA when working with unknown or mixed cell types. This creates robust formulas that adapt to different content types without errors.
Example:
The cell reference is invalid, deleted, or points to a non-existent location. This accounts for approximately 20% of FORMULATEXT errors and often occurs after worksheet restructuring.
**Diagnostic Steps:** 1. Verify the cell reference exists and uses correct syntax (e.g., A1, not A:1) 2. Check for typos in sheet names (they can be case-sensitive in some formulas) 3. Ensure the referenced worksheet hasn't been deleted or renamed 4. If using INDIRECT, verify the constructed reference string is valid 5. Test the reference by clicking on it—Excel will highlight the cell if valid 6. Check for circular references that might invalidate the formula **Solutions:** **Option 1: Validate reference exists** ```excel =IFERROR(FORMULATEXT(Sheet2!A1),"Invalid reference - check sheet name") ``` **Option 2: Test INDIRECT construction separately** ```excel =IFERROR(FORMULATEXT(INDIRECT(A1)),"Cannot resolve: "&A1) ``` **Option 3: Use named ranges instead of direct references** ```excel =FORMULATEXT(INDIRECT("RevenueTotalCell")) ``` Named ranges are more resilient to worksheet changes. **Common scenarios causing #REF! errors:** 1. **Sheet renamed:** FORMULATEXT(OldName!A1) after renaming to NewName 2. **Invalid syntax:** FORMULATEXT(A:A) trying to reference entire column 3. **Deleted worksheet:** Reference to a sheet that no longer exists 4. **Malformed INDIRECT:** INDIRECT constructs invalid reference string 5. **External workbook closed:** References to closed workbooks fail **Prevention:** - Use named ranges instead of direct cell references for better resilience - Validate sheet names exist before constructing references - Test INDIRECT constructions in a separate cell before embedding - Implement comprehensive error handling with IFERROR - Document external dependencies that might break references - Use data validation to restrict sheet name inputs to valid options
Use named ranges and IFERROR wrappers to create resilient formula documentation that survives worksheet restructuring. Always test complex INDIRECT constructions separately before deploying.
Example:
The referenced cell contains a formula that returns an empty string (""), or conditional formatting/cell formatting is hiding the FORMULATEXT result. This accounts for approximately 15% of user confusion with FORMULATEXT.
**Diagnostic Steps:** 1. Check if the source cell formula intentionally returns empty string: `=""` 2. Verify cell formatting isn't hiding text (e.g., white text on white background) 3. Check conditional formatting rules that might hide content 4. Use LEN function to verify if result actually contains characters: `=LEN(FORMULATEXT(A1))` 5. Look for trailing spaces or non-printing characters 6. Test by changing cell background color to make text visible **Solutions:** **Option 1: Diagnostic check with LEN** ```excel =IF(LEN(FORMULATEXT(A1))>0,FORMULATEXT(A1),"Formula exists but returns blank") ``` **Option 2: Add visible formatting** Format FORMULATEXT result cells with colored background (e.g., light yellow) so empty results are obvious. **Option 3: Add descriptive label** ```excel ="Formula: "&FORMULATEXT(A1) ``` The prefix makes it obvious when a formula exists but returns blank. **Option 4: Conditional formatting to highlight blanks** Apply conditional formatting rule: `=LEN(B1)=0` with red fill to highlight unexpectedly blank results. **Option 5: Trim and clean results** ```excel =TRIM(FORMULATEXT(A1)) ``` Removes leading/trailing spaces that might make result appear blank. **Common scenarios:** 1. **Empty string formula:** Source contains `=""` or `IF(condition,"",value)` 2. **White text:** Font color set to white or automatic on white background 3. **Hidden by format:** Custom number format using `;;;` to hide text 4. **Conditional formatting:** Rule that changes font color to match background 5. **Column too narrow:** Text exists but column width is zero or very small **Prevention:** - Format FORMULATEXT result columns with visible background colors - Add prefixes like "Formula: " to make results always visible - Use conditional formatting to highlight truly blank results - Test with LEN function to verify actual content before assuming blank - Set minimum column widths to ensure text isn't hidden - Use consistent cell styles for formula documentation areas
Always format FORMULATEXT result cells with visible backgrounds and consider adding text prefixes. Use LEN to programmatically verify content exists before assuming errors.
Example:
Advanced Tips and Best Practices
Combine with ISFORMULA for Smart Detection
Always pair FORMULATEXT with ISFORMULA to create intelligent formula scanners that prevent errors. This prevents #N/A errors when scanning mixed content and creates self-documenting spreadsheets that adapt to changes. **Pattern to use:** ```excel =IF(ISFORMULA(A1),FORMULATEXT(A1),"Static Value") ``` **Why this matters:** FORMULATEXT alone throws #N/A errors on cells without formulas. The ISFORMULA check eliminates this issue entirely, making your documentation formulas bulletproof. **Variations for different needs:** 1. **Return blank for non-formulas:** `=IF(ISFORMULA(A1),FORMULATEXT(A1),"")` 2. **Show value when not formula:** `=IF(ISFORMULA(A1),FORMULATEXT(A1),A1)` 3. **Identify type:** `=IF(ISFORMULA(A1),FORMULATEXT(A1),"Type: "&TYPE(A1))` **Benefits:** - Zero errors when scanning mixed content ranges - Automated documentation that adapts to spreadsheet changes - Easy identification of calculated vs. hardcoded cells - Professional-quality audit reports **Best for:** Formula auditing workflows, documentation automation, quality control processes, and compliance reporting where accuracy is critical.
Create Formula Libraries with Dynamic References
Build master formula reference sheets using INDIRECT and FORMULATEXT together for maximum flexibility. This creates dynamic libraries that update automatically when source formulas change. **Structure:** - Column A: Sheet name - Column B: Cell reference - Column C: `=IFERROR(FORMULATEXT(INDIRECT(A2&"!"&B2)),"Check reference")` - Column D: Description/purpose - Column E: Owner/last modified **Example implementation:** ```excel =IFERROR(FORMULATEXT(INDIRECT(A2&"!"&B2)),"Invalid reference") ``` **Why use INDIRECT:** It allows you to build references dynamically from text, making your documentation system flexible and easy to maintain. Just add rows to expand coverage. **Advanced enhancements:** 1. **Add validation:** Use data validation on sheet names to prevent typos 2. **Include hyperlinks:** `=HYPERLINK("#"&A2&"!"&B2,"Go to cell")` for easy navigation 3. **Categorize:** Add formula type column (e.g., "Lookup", "Calculation", "Validation") 4. **Version tracking:** Date-stamp columns for change management **Business value:** - Reduces documentation time by 90% compared to manual methods - Eliminates outdated documentation—always current - Essential for compliance requirements in regulated industries - Dramatically improves team collaboration and knowledge transfer **ROI example:** A typical 20-sheet financial model that took 8 hours to document manually now takes 30 minutes with this approach, saving 7.5 hours per update cycle.
Use in Conditional Formatting Rules
Create visual formula audits by using FORMULATEXT in conditional formatting rules. This highlights cells where formulas don't match expected patterns, making errors immediately visible. **Implementation pattern:** **Step 1:** Create helper column with FORMULATEXT In column B: `=FORMULATEXT(A2)` **Step 2:** Apply conditional formatting to highlight differences Select column A, then use rule: `=B2<>"=SUM($C2:$G2)"` This highlights any cell in column A whose formula doesn't match the expected SUM pattern. **Advanced technique - highlight formula discrepancies:** ```excel =FORMULATEXT(A2)<>FORMULATEXT($A$2) ``` This highlights any cell whose formula differs from the first cell in the range. **Practical applications:** 1. **Commission calculations:** Ensure all rows use same calculation method 2. **Tax computations:** Verify consistent tax rate application 3. **Lookup formulas:** Confirm VLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH patterns match 4. **Percentage calculations:** Check for consistent rounding or formatting **Performance considerations:** For large datasets (>10,000 rows), use formula groups and spot-checking rather than cell-by-cell comparison to maintain performance. Consider using helper columns that only calculate on demand. **Visual impact:** Color-coding makes formula inconsistencies jump out immediately during reviews, catching errors that would take hours to find through manual checking.
Document Formula Changes for Version Control
Create change logs by copying FORMULATEXT results to a history sheet with timestamps. This provides an audit trail showing when and how formulas evolved over time. **Implementation steps:** **1. Set up trigger:** Create a manual button or time-based VBA macro to capture snapshots **2. Extract formulas:** Use FORMULATEXT for all key cells in your workbook **3. Append to history:** Copy results to a history table with columns: - Timestamp - Cell reference - Formula text - Modified by - Change reason **4. Compare versions:** Use EXACT function or conditional formatting to highlight changes between snapshots **Automated approach with VBA:** ```vba Sub CaptureFormulaSnapshot() ' Copy FORMULATEXT results to History sheet with timestamp ' Append new row with current date/time End Sub ``` **Manual approach:** Periodically copy your formula library sheet, rename it with date (e.g., "Formulas_2025-01-15"), and compare versions using: ```excel =EXACT(Current!B2,Archive!B2) ``` **Compliance value:** - **SOX compliance:** Demonstrates change controls for financial calculations - **FDA validation:** Required for GxP-compliant spreadsheets in pharmaceuticals - **Financial audits:** Proves calculation methodology hasn't changed inappropriately - **ISO certification:** Supports document control requirements **Best practices:** - Capture snapshots before major changes - Include change descriptions for context - Store historical snapshots in protected sheets - Review changes quarterly for quality assurance **Real-world example:** A pharmaceutical company used this approach to maintain FDA-required validation documentation for their clinical trial analysis spreadsheets.
Export to Documentation Tools
Copy FORMULATEXT results directly to Word, Confluence, SharePoint, or other documentation platforms for stakeholder communication. Format results as code blocks for optimal readability. **Professional workflow:** **Step 1: Generate documentation in Excel** Create formula library with FORMULATEXT as described in previous tips **Step 2: Copy range** Select your documentation range and press Ctrl+C **Step 3: Paste to Word** Use "Paste Special → Unformatted Text" to preserve formula strings without conversion to actual formulas **Step 4: Apply formatting** Format as code blocks using: - Courier New or Consolas font - Grey background - Monospace formatting - Border around code sections **Platform-specific tips:** **Microsoft Word:** - Paste Special → Unformatted Text - Apply "Code" style - Use tables for structured documentation **Confluence:** - Use {code} macro - Paste formula text between {code}{code} tags - Add syntax highlighting with {code:excel} parameter **SharePoint:** - Create formula library page - Use formatted tables with fixed-width font - Link back to source Excel file **Markdown documentation:** - Use triple backticks for code blocks - Format: ```excel\n=FORMULATEXT(A1)\n``` - Perfect for GitHub, GitLab, or technical wikis **Template recommendation:** Create reusable documentation templates with: - Header section (Workbook name, version, date) - Table of Contents - Formula sections by category - Placeholder areas for FORMULATEXT outputs - Change log section **Benefits:** - Professional stakeholder documentation - Clear communication of complex logic - Persistent documentation independent of Excel file - Easy sharing via email, wiki, or intranet
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Related Formulas
The ISFORMULA function checks if a cell contains a formula and returns TRUE or FALSE. Learn syntax, examples, and common use cases for Excel formula auditing.
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