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How to find and replace text with a formula in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Text manipulationExcel & Google Sheets
=SUBSTITUTE(A2,"old","new")✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Original | Result |
| cat sat on mat | |
| hat and cat | |
| catalog entry | |
| catfish recipe | |
| cat nap time |
=SUBSTITUTE(A2,"old","new")→cat sat on mat
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Step by step
- 1Enter =SUBSTITUTE(A2,"old","new") — replace "old" with the text to find and "new" with the replacement.
- 2SUBSTITUTE replaces ALL occurrences by default. To replace only the Nth occurrence, add a fourth argument: =SUBSTITUTE(A2,"o","0",2) replaces only the 2nd "o".
- 3SUBSTITUTE is case-sensitive — "Apple" and "apple" are treated differently.
- 4To replace case-insensitively you must use REPLACE with SEARCH to locate the position first.
Tips
- Chain multiple SUBSTITUTE calls to replace several different strings: =SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,"cat","dog"),"hat","cap").
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Frequently asked
What is the difference between SUBSTITUTE and REPLACE?
SUBSTITUTE finds a specific text value anywhere in the string; REPLACE targets a fixed character position and length.
Can I use wildcards in SUBSTITUTE?
No — SUBSTITUTE matches literal text only. Use REGEXREPLACE in Google Sheets for pattern-based replacements.
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