Understanding the ISTEXT Formula

The ISTEXT function in Excel checks whether a value is text, returning TRUE if it is and FALSE if it's not. It's a data type validation tool for text operations—like ensuring inputs to string functions are actually text to prevent errors.

ISTEXT(A1) evaluates cell A1 and returns TRUE if it contains text, including numbers formatted as text. It takes a single value argument and performs a text type check—useful for validating text data or creating formulas that adapt based on whether inputs are strings or other data types.

Why Use ISTEXT?

ISTEXT enables text detection—think data validation or selective text processing. Its ability to identify text specifically helps create robust formulas that avoid applying text operations to numbers or other non-text data that would cause errors in string functions.

Example with Sample Data

ISTEXT identifies text values: TRUE for any text strings (including empty strings or numbers stored as text), FALSE for actual numbers, logical values, errors, or empty cells. When combined with IF, it can help create text processing operations that only apply to string data. It's a text detector.