Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (2024)

Use the Find and Replace features in Excel to search for something in your workbook, such as a particular number or text string. You can either locate the search item for reference, or you can replace it with something else. You can include wildcard characters such as question marks, tildes, and asterisks, or numbers in your search terms. You can search by rows and columns, search within comments or values, and search within worksheets or entire workbooks.

Tip:You can also use formulas to replace text. To learn more, check out theSUBSTITUTE function orREPLACE, REPLACEB functions.

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (1)

WindowsmacOSWeb

Find

To find something, press Ctrl+F, or go to Home > Editing > Find & Select > Find.

Note:In the following example, we've selected Options >> to show the entire Find dialog box. By default, it displays with Options hidden.

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (2)

  1. In the Find whatbox, type the text or numbers you want to find, or select the arrow in the Find whatbox, and then select a recent search item from the list.

    Tips:

    • You can use wildcard characters— question mark (?), asterisk (*), tilde (~)— in your search criteria.

    • Use the question mark (?) to find any single character— for example, s?t finds "sat" and "set".

    • Use the asterisk (*) to find any number of characters— for example, s*d finds "sad" and "started".

    • Use the tilde (~) followed by ?, *, or ~ to find question marks, asterisks, or other tilde characters — for example, fy91~? finds "fy91?".

  2. SelectFind All or Find Next to run your search.

    Tip:When you SelectFind All, every occurrence of the criteria you're searching for is listed, and selecting a specific occurrence in the list selectsits cell. You can sort the results of a Find All search by selecting a column heading.

  3. SelectOptions>> to further define your search if needed:

    • Within: To search for data in a worksheet or in an entire workbook, select Sheet or Workbook.

    • Search: You can choose to search either By Rows (default), or By Columns.

    • Look in: To search for data with specific details, in the box, selectFormulas, Values, Notes, or Comments.

      Note: Formulas, Values, Notes and Comments are available only on the Find tab; only Formulas are available on the Replace tab.

    • Match case - Check this if you want to search for case-sensitive data.

    • Match entire cell contents - Check this if you want to search for cells that contain only the characters that you typed in the Find whatbox.

  4. If you want to search for text or numbers with specific formatting, selectFormat, and then make your selections in the Find Format dialog box.

    Tip:If you want to find cells that just match a specific format, you can delete any criteria in the Find what box, and then select a specific cell format as an example. Select the arrow next to Format, selectChoose Format From Cell, and then select the cell that has the formatting that you want to search for.

Replace

To replace text or numbers, press Ctrl+H, or go to Home > Editing > Find & Select > Replace.

Note:In the following example, we've selected Options >>to show the entire Find dialog box. By default, it displays with Options hidden.

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (3)

  1. In the Find whatbox, type the text or numbers you want to find, or select the arrow in the Find whatbox, and then select a recent search item from the list.

    Tips:

    • You can use wildcard characters— question mark (?), asterisk (*), tilde (~)— in your search criteria.

    • Use the question mark (?) to find any single character— for example, s?t finds "sat" and "set".

    • Use the asterisk (*) to find any number of characters— for example, s*d finds "sad" and "started".

    • Use the tilde (~) followed by ?, *, or ~ to find question marks, asterisks, or other tilde characters — for example, fy91~? finds "fy91?".

  2. In the Replace withbox, enter the text or numbers you want to use to replace the search text.

  3. SelectReplace All or Replace.

    Tip:When you selectReplace All, every occurrence of the criteria that you're searching for is replaced, while Replaceupdates one occurrence at a time.

  4. SelectOptions>> to further define your search if needed:

    • Within: To search for data in a worksheet or in an entire workbook, select Sheet or Workbook.

    • Search: You can choose to search either By Rows (default), or By Columns.

    • Look in: To search for data with specific details, in the box, selectFormulas, Values, Notes, or Comments.

      Note: Formulas, Values, Notes and Comments are available only on the Find tab; only Formulas are available on the Replace tab.

    • Match case - Check this if you want to search for case-sensitive data.

    • Match entire cell contents - Check this if you want to search for cells that contain only the characters that you typed in the Find whatbox.

  5. If you want to search for text or numbers with specific formatting, selectFormat, and then make your selections in the Find Format dialog box.

    Tip:If you want to find cells that just match a specific format, you can delete any criteria in the Find what box, and then select a specific cell format as an example. Select the arrow next to Format, selectChoose Format From Cell, and then select the cell that has the formatting that you want to search for.

There are two distinct methods for finding or replacing text or numbers on the Mac. The first is to use the Find & Replace dialog box. The second is to use the Search bar in the ribbon.

Find & Replace dialog box

Search bar and options

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (4)

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (5)

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (6)

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (7)
  1. Press Ctrl+For go to Home > Find & Select > Find.

  2. InFind whattype the text or numbers you want to find.

  3. SelectFind Next to run your search.

  4. You can further define your search:

    • Within: To search for data in a worksheet or in an entire workbook, select Sheet or Workbook.

    • Search: You can choose to search either By Rows (default), or By Columns.

    • Look in: To search for data with specific details, in the box, selectFormulas, Values, Notes, or Comments.

    • Match case - Check this if you want to search for case-sensitive data.

    • Match entire cell contents - Check this if you want to search for cells that contain only the characters that you typed in the Find whatbox.

Tips:

  • You can use wildcard characters— question mark (?), asterisk (*), tilde (~)— in your search criteria.

  • Use the question mark (?) to find any single character— for example, s?t finds "sat" and "set".

  • Use the asterisk (*) to find any number of characters— for example, s*d finds "sad" and "started".

  • Use the tilde (~) followed by ?, *, or ~ to find question marks, asterisks, or other tilde characters — for example, fy91~? finds "fy91?".

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (8)

  1. Press Ctrl+For go to Home > Find & Select > Find.

  2. InFind whattype the text or numbers you want to find.

  3. SelectFind All to run your search for all occurrences.

    Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (9)

    Note:The dialog box expands to show a list of all the cells that contain the search term, and the total number of cells in which it appears.

  4. Select any item in the listto highlight the corresponding cell in your worksheet.

    Note:You can edit the contents of the highlighted cell.

  1. Press Ctrl+Hor go to Home > Find & Select > Replace.

  2. InFind what, type the text or numbers you want to find.

  3. You can further define your search:

    • Within: To search for data in a worksheet or in an entire workbook, select Sheet or Workbook.

    • Search: You can choose to search either By Rows (default), or By Columns.

    • Match case - Check this if you want to search for case-sensitive data.

    • Match entire cell contents - Check this if you want to search for cells that contain just the characters that you typed in the Find whatbox.

      Tips:

      • You can use wildcard characters— question mark (?), asterisk (*), tilde (~)— in your search criteria.

      • Use the question mark (?) to find any single character— for example, s?t finds "sat" and "set".

      • Use the asterisk (*) to find any number of characters— for example, s*d finds "sad" and "started".

      • Use the tilde (~) followed by ?, *, or ~ to find question marks, asterisks, or other tilde characters— for example, fy91~? finds "fy91?".

  4. In the Replace with box, enter the text or numbers you want to use to replace the search text.

  5. SelectReplace or Replace All.

    Tips:

    • When you selectReplace All, every occurrence of the criteria that you are searching for is replaced.

    • When you selectReplace, you can replace one instance at a time by selecting Next to highlight the next instance.

  1. Select any cell to search the entire sheet or select a specific range of cells to search.

  2. Press Cmd + F or select the magnifying glass to expand the Search bar and type the text or number you want to find in the search field.

    Tips:

    • You can use wildcard characters— question mark (?), asterisk (*), tilde (~)— in your search criteria.

    • Use the question mark (?) to find any single character— for example, s?t finds "sat" and "set".

    • Use the asterisk (*) to find any number of characters— for example, s*d finds "sad" and "started".

    • Use the tilde (~) followed by ?, *, or ~ to find question marks, asterisks, or other tilde characters— for example, fy91~? finds "fy91?".

  3. Press return.

    Notes:

    • To find the next instance of the item you are searching for, press return again or use the Find dialog box and select Find Next.

    • To specify additional search options, select the magnifying glass and select Search in Sheet or Search in Workbook. You can also select the Advanced option, which launches the Find dialog box.

    Tip:You can cancel a search in progress by pressing ESC.

Find

To find something, press Ctrl+F, or go to Home > Editing > Find & Select > Find.

Note:In the following example, we've selected> Search Options to show the entire Find dialog box. By default, it displays with Search Options hidden.

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (10)

  1. In the Find whatbox, type the text or numbers you want to find.

    Tips:

    • You can use wildcard characters— question mark (?), asterisk (*), tilde (~)— in your search criteria.

    • Use the question mark (?) to find any single character— for example, s?t finds "sat" and "set".

    • Use the asterisk (*) to find any number of characters— for example, s*d finds "sad" and "started".

    • Use the tilde (~) followed by ?, *, or ~ to find question marks, asterisks, or other tilde characters — for example, fy91~? finds "fy91?".

  2. SelectFind Next or Find All to run your search.

    Tip:When you selectFind All, every occurrence of the criteria that you're searching for is listed, and selecting a specific occurrence in the list selects its cell. You can sort the results of a Find All search by selecting a column heading.

  3. Select> Search Options to further define your search if needed:

    • Within: To search for data within a certain selection, choose Selection. To search for data in a worksheet or in an entire workbook, select Sheet or Workbook.

    • Direction: You can choose to search either Down (default), or Up.

    • Match case - Check this if you want to search for case-sensitive data.

    • Match entire cell contents - Check this if you want to search for cells that contain only the characters that you typed in the Find what box.

Replace

To replace text or numbers, press Ctrl+H, or go to Home > Editing > Find & Select > Replace.

Note:In the following example, we've selected> Search Options to show the entire Find dialog box. By default, it displays with Search Options hidden.

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (11)

  1. In the Find whatbox, type the text or numbers you want to find.

    Tips:

    • You can use wildcard characters— question mark (?), asterisk (*), tilde (~)— in your search criteria.

    • Use the question mark (?) to find any single character— for example, s?t finds "sat" and "set".

    • Use the asterisk (*) to find any number of characters— for example, s*d finds "sad" and "started".

    • Use the tilde (~) followed by ?, *, or ~ to find question marks, asterisks, or other tilde characters — for example, fy91~? finds "fy91?".

  2. In the Replace withbox, enter the text or numbers you want to use to replace the search text.

  3. SelectReplace or Replace All.

    Tip:When you selectReplace All, every occurrence of the criteria that you're searching for is replaced, while Replaceupdates one occurrence at a time.

  4. Select> Search Options to further define your search if needed:

    • Within: To search for data within a certain selection, choose Selection. To search for data in a worksheet or in an entire workbook, select Sheet or Workbook.

    • Direction: You can choose to search either Down (default), or Up.

    • Match case - Check this if you want to search for case-sensitive data.

    • Match entire cell contents - Check this if you want to search for cells that contain only the characters you typed in the Find what box.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Communityor get support inCommunities.

Recommended articles

Merge and unmerge cells

REPLACE, REPLACEB functions

Apply data validation to cells

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet (2024)

FAQs

Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet? ›

Replace text or numbers with the Find & Replace

How do I find and replace text in numbers? ›

Search for specific text

Click the View button in the toolbar, then choose Show Find & Replace. You can also press Command-F (on a Mac) or Control-F (on a Windows computer). Note: In a shared spreadsheet set to View Only, click the Find button in the toolbar. In the Find field, enter a word or phrase you want to find.

How to find and replace in Excel sheet? ›

You can use Excel's search options to change how Excel searches the workbook.
  1. Click the Find & Select button.
  2. Select Find or Replace.
  3. Click the Options button. ...
  4. Complete the search / replace as you normally would.
  5. Select the desired advanced Find and Replace options.

How do you find and replace text in Excel chart? ›

The Find/Replace feature can be activated by selecting the Home tab, Editing (group), clicking the button labeled “Find & Select”, then clicking “Find…” or “Replace…” To quickly access Find and Replace in Excel, use keyboard shortcuts: Find: Ctrl + F. Replace: Ctrl + H.

How do I find and replace text in sheets? ›

Use find and replace in a spreadsheet
  1. On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
  2. Click Edit. ...
  3. Next to "Find," type the word you want to find, If you want to replace the word, enter the new word next to "Replace with."
  4. To search for the word, click Find. ...
  5. Optional: Narrow your search by using an option below.

How do you replace text in Excel function? ›

The REPLACE function in Excel replaces part of a text string with a different text string, useful for modifying variable text data. Its syntax is =REPLACE(old_text, start_num, num_chars, new_text). The function is particularly helpful in financial analysis to clean and adjust text data.

How do you find and replace in text? ›

You can also open the basic Find and Replace pane with the keyboard shortcut CONTROL + H. When you replace text, it's a good idea to select Replace instead of Replace All.

How do I change numbers in an Excel sheet? ›

On the Home tab, in the Number group, click the dialog box launcher next to Number (or just press CTRL+1). In the Category list, click the format that you want to use, and then adjust settings, if necessary.

How to replace multiple text in Excel using formula? ›

=REPLACE(old_text, start_num, num_chars, new_text) old_text is the cell containing the text you want to replace. start_num tells Excels where the text you want to replace starts within the cell. num_chars is the number of characters you want to replace.

How to find and replace in one column in numbers? ›

In Numbers, you can easily find and replace text within a single column by selecting the column, opening the Find and Replace dialog, entering the search and replacement text, and clicking "Replace All".

How to find and replace text on Mac? ›

Search for text

in the toolbar toolbar, then choose Show Find & Replace. You can also press Command-F. Enter a word or phrase in the search field. Matches are highlighted as you enter text.

Top Articles
A Destination Guide to Porto | Your Tours Portugal
Controlling Your Trading Emotions – Varsity by Zerodha
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) Stock Price, News, Quote & History - Yahoo Finance
Sprinter Tyrone's Unblocked Games
Metallica - Blackened Lyrics Meaning
4-Hour Private ATV Riding Experience in Adirondacks 2024 on Cool Destinations
Unity Stuck Reload Script Assemblies
Booknet.com Contract Marriage 2
Ofw Pinoy Channel Su
Fusion
P2P4U Net Soccer
No Credit Check Apartments In West Palm Beach Fl
New Mexico Craigslist Cars And Trucks - By Owner
Beau John Maloney Houston Tx
Red Tomatoes Farmers Market Menu
Used Drum Kits Ebay
DoorDash, Inc. (DASH) Stock Price, Quote & News - Stock Analysis
Vermont Craigs List
Walgreens Alma School And Dynamite
Atdhe Net
Happy Life 365, Kelly Weekers | 9789021569444 | Boeken | bol
Stoney's Pizza & Gaming Parlor Danville Menu
Dark Entreaty Ffxiv
eugene bicycles - craigslist
2021 MTV Video Music Awards: See the Complete List of Nominees - E! Online
Is Poke Healthy? Benefits, Risks, and Tips
Evil Dead Rise Ending Explained
Chelsea Hardie Leaked
UAE 2023 F&B Data Insights: Restaurant Population and Traffic Data
LG UN90 65" 4K Smart UHD TV - 65UN9000AUJ | LG CA
A Plus Nails Stewartville Mn
Gyeon Jahee
Craigslist Albany Ny Garage Sales
Indiana Wesleyan Transcripts
Mistress Elizabeth Nyc
Timberwolves Point Guard History
2007 Peterbilt 387 Fuse Box Diagram
Seminary.churchofjesuschrist.org
Mugshots Journal Star
Clausen's Car Wash
Windshield Repair & Auto Glass Replacement in Texas| Safelite
Sallisaw Bin Store
Craigslist Minneapolis Com
2013 Honda Odyssey Serpentine Belt Diagram
Tom Kha Gai Soup Near Me
Holzer Athena Portal
John Wick: Kapitel 4 (2023)
Zeeks Pizza Calories
Ssss Steakhouse Menu
The Missile Is Eepy Origin
Bumgarner Funeral Home Troy Nc Obituaries
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 6444

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.