Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 13, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
If you have used BASIC before, you will be right at home with the string functions provided by VBA. The following table details the most common string functions and what they return.
Function | Â | Comments |
---|---|---|
Left(Source, Count) | Â | Returns the left Count characters of Source text. |
Mid(Source, Start [, Count]) | Â | Returns the portion of Source text beginning with the Start character. If Count is supplied, then the result is limited to that many characters. |
Right(Source, Count) | Â | Returns the right Count characters of Source text. |
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2288) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Dissecting a String.
Dive Deep into Macros! Make Excel do things you thought were impossible, discover techniques you won't find anywhere else, and create powerful automated reports. Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad help you instantly visualize information to make it actionable. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, real-world case studies, and 50 workbooks packed with examples and solutions. Check out Microsoft Excel 2019 VBA and Macros today!
Place a cell reference in a macro, modify the structure of your worksheet, and you may soon find that the cell reference ...
Discover MoreDo you get tired of the dialog box that says "do you want to enable macros" that is displayed when you open a workbook. ...
Discover MoreTroubleshooting an Excel macro when it causes the entire computer to freeze can be a tedious affair. This tip provides ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments