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How to check if a cell contains specific text in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=ISNUMBER(SEARCH("abc", A2))✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Text |
| abcdef |
=ISNUMBER(SEARCH("abc", A2))→TRUE
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Step by step
- 1SEARCH("abc",A2) returns the position if found, or an error if not.
- 2ISNUMBER converts that to TRUE (found) or FALSE (not found).
- 3Use it directly or inside IF to label rows.
Tips
- SEARCH is case-insensitive; use FIND for a case-sensitive test.
- Wrap in IF for a custom label: =IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("abc",A2)),"Yes","No").
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
Frequently asked
Why not just use SEARCH on its own?
SEARCH returns a position number or an error. ISNUMBER gives a tidy TRUE/FALSE that's easier to filter and chart.