FORMULATEXT function

Category: Lookup and reference functions

What does this function do?

Returns a formula as a string.

Syntax:

FORMULATEXTO ([reference])

• reference (required): A reference to a formula.

Remarks:

• The FORMULATEXT function returns what is displayed in the formula bar if you select the referenced cell.

• The Reference argument can be to another worksheet or workbook.

• If the Reference argument is to another workbook that is not open, FORMULATEXT returns the #N/A error value.

• If the Reference argument is to an entire row or column, or to a range or defined name containing more than one cell, FORMULATEXT returns the value in the upper leftmost cell of the row, column, or range.

• In the following cases, FORMULATEXT returns the #N/A error value:

• The cell used as the Reference argument does not contain a formula.

• The formula in the cell is longer than 8192 characters.

• The formula can't be displayed in the worksheet; for example, due to worksheet protection.

• An external workbook that contains the formula is not open in Excel.

• Invalid data types used as inputs will produce a #VALUE! error value.

• Entering a reference to the cell in which you are entering the function as the argument won't result in a circular reference warning. FORMULATEXT will successfully return the formula as text in the cell.

Examples:

If in A2 we have the formula TODAY() then

=FORMULATEXT(A2) =TODAY()