Need help with the many confusing functions in Excel? The "contains" formula might have caught your eye, but what is it, and how can you use it in WPS Office? Don't worry. We've got you covered! In this easy-to-follow guide, we'll explain what this nifty formula is, why you might want to use it, and give you a step-by-step guide to use Excel containing formula in the WPS office.
What is the “If Cell Contains Formula” in Excel?
In simple terms, the "If Cell Contains Formula" allows you to locate specific text, values, or numbers within a cell. Depending on what it finds, it gives you an output that you define, like "Yes" or "No."
How Does It Work?
Let's say you want to know whether a cell contains the word "apple." You can use a formula like this:
=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("apple," A1)), "Yes," "No")
If the word "apple" is in cell A1, the output will be "Yes." If not, it will be "No." This formula utilizes the IF, SEARCH, and ISNUMBER functions to perform this check.
Variations of the Formula
Excel offers several variations of this formula, allowing you to check for different conditions. Here's what you can do:
Check If A Cell Contains Any Value
It checks if a cell contains any value or text by testing that it is not empty. It will return true if any value is present.
Check If A Cell Contains Specific Text
This variation allows you to test if a cell's contents exactly match a specific text string you define. It checks for an exact case-sensitive match.
Check If A Cell Contains A Number
This formula variation verifies that the cell contains a numeric value rather than text. It will return true if the cell contains a number.
Check If The Cell Contains A Certain Text String
It allows you to search for one particular text string or phrase within a cell. It will return true if the cell contains that exact string.
Check If The Cell Contains Several Strings
This variation lets you check if a cell contains several text strings you specify. It will return true if all strings are present.
Check If A Cell Contains One Of Many Text Strings
It checks if any of the multiple text strings you define is contained within the cell. If any match, it will return true.
Limitations and Solutions
One important thing to note is that the IF function doesn't work with wildcards like "?" and "*." So, you can't use IF alone to look for text that might appear anywhere in a cell. The solution is to combine IF with SEARCH and ISNUMBER, as in the example given earlier.
How to Use Excel “If Cell Contains Formula” in WPS Office?
Example 1: Identifying Non-Blank Cells
If you need to locate cells that contain any value, be it text, number, or date, a simple IF formula can do the trick:
=IF(A2<>", "Not blank," "")
This formula returns "Not blank" if there is any content in the referenced cell.
Example 2: Distinguishing Text from Numbers
To separate cells containing text from those with numbers or dates, WPS Office users can employ the ISTEXT function in conjunction with IF:
=IF(ISTEXT(A2), "Yes", "")
This formula will yield "Yes" if the cell has text.
Example 3: Targeting Numeric Values
Finding cells with numeric values requires the IF and ISNUMBER functions:
=IF(ISNUMBER(A2), "Yes", "")
This formula will return "Yes" if a numeric value is found.
Example 4: Searching for Specific Text
If you're after cells containing a specific word or phrase, you can tailor the formula to that need:
=IF(A2="apples," "Yes," "")
This formula will result in "Yes" if "apples" is found.
Example 5: Case-Sensitive Searches
For case-sensitive searches, the EXACT function is your ally:
=IF(EXACT(A2,"APPLES"), "Yes", "")
It ensures that the search respects letter casing.
Example 6: Partial Matches and Complex Scenarios
Finding specific text strings or characters within cell content may require a combination of IF, SEARCH, and ISNUMBER functions. For instance:
=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("A-",A2)),"Valid","")
This formula will label cells containing "A-" as "Valid."
Example 7: Searching for Multiple Text Strings
When dealing with multiple search criteria, the IF and OR functions come into play:
=IF(OR(ISNUMBER(SEARCH("dress",A2)),ISNUMBER(SEARCH("skirt",A2))),"Valid","")
This formula returns "Valid" if either "dress" or "skirt" is found.
Why Choose WPS Office?
There is no doubt that WPS Office is a feature-packed yet affordable office suite to consider when comparing office suites. This platform offers robust tools for document creation, data analysis, and presentation building that rival expensive market leaders.
Let's examine the key advantages that make WPS Office an appealing choice.
Reasonable Pricing
Foremost, WPS Office shines for its reasonable pricing. Unlike rivals that require hefty subscriptions, WPS Office offers free access to core editing and collaboration features.
It makes professional-grade productivity tools available to users of all budgets. Optional paid upgrades exist but are not obligatory.
Impressive Functionality
Despite its friendly price tag, WPS Office delivers impressive capabilities, including word processing, pivot tables, slide design, and more.
Support for Excel's "If Cell Contains Formula" demonstrates the versatility of enabling complex data manipulation like Microsoft Office. WPS packs a punch without the premium fees.
Intuitive and User-Friendly
WPS Office also stands out for its intuitive interface that facilitates ease of use. Even those with minimal experience can quickly navigate features and create content.
WPS Office's thoughtful design ensures a seamless experience for all users regardless of skill level.
Cross-Platform Flexibility
The ability to work seamlessly across devices and operating systems makes WPS Office an adaptable solution. Whether using a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, WPS Office provides a consistent and reliable experience. This cross-platform flexibility allows work on the go.
Ongoing Updates and Community
Through regular software updates and an engaged user community, WPS Office continuously evolves to meet emerging needs. User feedback helps shape improvements, while developer support ensures timely issue resolution. This cycle enables WPS Office to stay at the forefront of office productivity.
How to Download WPS Office?
Ready to try the powerful, free WPS Office suite? Downloading and installing WPS is quick and straightforward. Just follow these three simple steps:
Step 1: Access the WPS Website
Open your preferred browser and go to the WPS official Website. Click the "Free Download" button to get the latest version of WPS Office.
Step 2: Run the Installer
When prompted, run the wps_wid.exe installer file that downloads. Check the box agreeing to the privacy policy, then click "Install Now."
Step 3: Login and Enjoy
After a brief installation process, WPS Office will automatically launch on your system. Click "Guest" to log in and create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations immediately.
FAQs
1. How Can I Use The "Excel Contains Formula" To Search For Case-Insensitive Values?
You can use the SEARCH function in Excel to perform a case-insensitive search, as it does not differentiate between uppercase and lowercase letters.
2. How Do You Check If A Cell Contains Certain Text?
To check if a cell contains certain text, you can use the SEARCH function, which looks for specific text within a cell without considering letter casing.
Summary
The "If Cell Contains" formula is an incredibly useful tool for performing versatile text and value searches in Excel. It allows users to locate specific words, phrases, numbers, or other values within a cell, making it easy to filter, organize, and analyze spreadsheet data. If you cleverly combine the IF function with other supporting functions like SEARCH, ISNUMBER, and EXACT, you can construct powerful formulas tailored to their particular search needs.
WPS Office as the best free option for handling Excel functionality. With its robust features, user-friendly interface, and budget-friendly pricing, WPS Office enables professional-grade productivity tools for users who want the functionality of MS Excel without the cost.
