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How to check if text starts with a value in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=LEFT(A2,5)="Order"✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Text | Starts with Order? |
| Order 1001 | |
| Invoice 2002 | |
| Order 1002 | |
| Return 500 | |
| Order 1003 |
=LEFT(A2,5)="Order"→TRUE
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Step by step
- 1Enter =LEFT(A2,5)="Order" — this returns TRUE if the first 5 characters equal "Order".
- 2Adjust the length argument (5) to match the number of characters in your prefix.
- 3Wrap in IF for a custom label: =IF(LEFT(A2,5)="Order","Sales","Other").
- 4For case-insensitive comparison, wrap both sides in LOWER: =LOWER(LEFT(A2,5))="order".
Tips
- Use COUNTIF with a wildcard for a compact check without specifying the prefix length: =COUNTIF(A2,"Order*")>0 returns TRUE if the cell starts with "Order".
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Frequently asked
Is there a dedicated STARTSWITH function?
Neither Excel nor Google Sheets has a built-in STARTSWITH, but the LEFT or COUNTIF wildcard approaches shown above are equally effective.
Can I check for multiple possible prefixes at once?
Use OR: =OR(LEFT(A2,3)="INV",LEFT(A2,3)="ORD") — or use SUMPRODUCT with an array of prefixes for a more compact formula.