What Is T Excel Function?
The T Excel function is a built-in Text function. It accepts a value, and it returns the input value as it is if the specified data is a text value. Otherwise, the function output is a blank text.
Users can utilize the T Excel function to validate the given data for text values and clean the source dataset so that we can view only the text content.
For instance, the source dataset holds two values in column A.

The task is to showcase the column A cell values in the corresponding column B cells if they are texts. Otherwise, the target cells should hold an empty text.
Then, we can secure the required values using T Excel function in the specified cells.

The T Excel function in cell B2 takes the cell A2 value as its input. Since the input data is a text value, the function returns the input text value as the required output.
Next, the T() in cell B3 accepts the cell A3 value as its input. Since the input data is not a text value, the function T Excel returns a blank text as the output.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The T Excel function enables us to get the text value referred to by the specified value.
- The T function in Excel finds applications in text-based data manipulation, validation, sorting and filtering.
- The T function in Excel takes one compulsory argument, value, as its input.
- While we can utilize the T function in Excel as an individual function directly or from the Formulas tab in a cell, Excel does not offer an inbuilt T method in VBA. However, using it with other inbuilt functions, such as IF and CONCAT, yields fruitful results.
Syntax
The T Excel function syntax is as follows:

Where,
- value: The data point we aim to test for text.
We must supply the argument mentioned above when using T Excel function in a target cell.
Furthermore, MS Excel automatically converts values appropriately. So, the command T Excel is more useful for providing compatibility with other spreadsheet applications.
How To Use T Function In Excel?
We can implement the T Excel function in the following two ways:
- Access the function from the Excel ribbon.
- Enter the function into the worksheet manually.
Method #1 – Access The Function From The Excel Ribbon
Choose a cell for showing the result – The Formulas tab – The Text function group down arrow – The T Excel function.

The Function Arguments window will pop open, where we feed the command T Excel argument value.

Finally, click OK to view the value the function T Excel returns in the chosen cell.
Method #2 – Enter The Function Into The Worksheet Manually
- Select a cell to display the outcome.
- Type =T( in the cell.
- Provide the argument value and close the brackets.
- Press Enter to secure the T Excel function output.
Examples
Let us see the practical uses of the T Excel function with the help of examples.
Example #1
The source dataset shows a list of values in column A.

The task is to show the column A values in the corresponding column B cells if they are texts. Otherwise, the concerned column B cell should hold an empty text.
Then, we can execute the T Excel function in the required cells to acquire the expected outcome.
Step 1: Click cell B2 to choose it, enter the T(), and press Enter.
=T(A2)

[Alternative choose the target cell and then Formulas – Text – T Excel function.

Enter the T Excel function argument value in the Function Arguments window, which opens on choosing the function.

Finally, click OK to view the T() return value in the chosen cell.]
Step 2: Using the Excel fill handle, execute the function in the other target cells.

The results indicate that cells A2 and A8 contain text values. Next, the function does not count logical values and numeric values as texts, leading to it returning a blank text in cells B3:B6.
Furthermore, if the supplied value is an error value, the function returns the error value as is, confirmed by the cell B7 T() output.
Example #2
We have an employee’s details and the hike percentage they received updated in column B.

The task is to determine whether the data in the column B cells are texts, with the output being the logical value TRUE or FALSE. We shall consider cells C2:C3 as the target cells.
Then, the paired T Excel function with the IF Excel function in the specified target cells will fetch us the desired outcome.
Step 1: Choose the target cell C2, enter the IF() containing the T Excel function, and press Enter.
=IF(T(B2)=B2,”TRUE”,”FALSE”)

Next, using the fill handle, update the expression in cell C3.

First, the T() in the IF() condition checks the corresponding column B cell value and gives the value as the output if it is a text. Next, the IF() checks if the T() output is the corresponding column B cell value. If the condition holds, the IF() output is the TRUE value. Otherwise, it returns the FALSE value.
In the case of the cell C2 formula, the T() returns a text value as the cell B2 value is text. So, the IF() condition holds, leading it to return TRUE as the output.
Further, in the case of the cell C3 formula, the T() returns a blank text as the cell B3 value is not a text. So, the IF() condition is FALSE, leading it to return FALSE as the output.
Example #3
The source dataset shows clients’ first and last names, and their associated branch office details.

We must show the complete details of each client, with Excel line breaks, in the corresponding column D cells, for which the Excel Wrap Text option in the Home tab is enabled.
Then, the paired T Excel function with the Excel CONCAT function in the cited target cells will get us the anticipated results.
Step 1: Choose cell D2, enter the CONCAT() containing the T Excel function, and press Enter.
=CONCAT(T(A2),” “,T(B2),CHAR(10),T(C2))

Next, utilize the excel fill handle to enter the formula in cells D3:D4.

In the case of the cell D2 formula, the three values (cells A2, B2, and C2 values) concatenated with a space character and a line break character are texts. So, the three T()s in the CONCAT() return the three texts as they are in the source dataset. Next, the CONCAT() combines them with the specified space and line break characters in the cited order to return the concerned client details according to our requirements.
Furthermore, the same logic applies to the formulas in cells D3 and D4.
However, the cell B3, which should hold the specific client’s last name, is blank. So, the corresponding T() in the CONCAT() returns an empty text, making the formula return only the client’s remaining details as the output.
In the case of the cell D4 formula, cell C4, which should show the specific client’s branch office data, holds the numeric value of 0. So, the corresponding T() in the CONCAT() returns an empty text, making the formula showcase only the client’s remaining details.
T Excel Function Vs N Excel Function
The T Excel Function vs. N Excel function is as follows:
- Excel Built-in Function Group
While the T() comes under the Text Excel function group, the N() falls under the Information Excel function group. - Definition
While the T() determines the text value referred to by the input value, the N() enables us to get a value translated to a number value. - Function Arguments
Both functions accept one mandatory argument, value, as input. - Function Output
The T() returns the input value as it is if the input value is a text.
However, the N() output varies with the input value. For instance, if the input value is a number, the function returns the same number. Next, if the input value is TRUE, FALSE, or a date, the function returns 1, 0, or the serial equivalent of the specified date value, respectively. Further, if the input value is an error value, the function returns the error value. However, if the input value is anything other than the values mentioned above, the function returns 0.
Important Things To Note
- MS Excel automatically converts values according to their data types. So, the T Excel function is typically useful for providing compatibility with other spreadsheet applications.
- When the supplied input value to the T function in Excel is an error value or a special character, the function treats the value as text. So, it returns the specified error value or special character as the text value in the target cell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We can accept only text values using the T function, as explained below with an illustration.
The source dataset holds a list of customers and their feedback.
The task is to list only the text feedback in column D. Otherwise, the corresponding target cells in column D should hold a blank text.
Then, we can enter and execute the T() in the cited target cells to secure the required text data.
Step 1: Choose cell D2, enter T(), and press Enter.
=T(B2)
Next, using the fill handle, feed the function in the remaining target cells.
The results in column D data indicate that the feedback received from Cust_1, Cust_3, Cust_4, and Cust_5 are text values, which the T() returns in the respective target cells. Please note that the T() counts ‘–‘ as a text value, leading it to return it as a text value in cell D6.
However, the feedback received from Cust_2 is a number, making the T() return a blank text in the target cell D3.
There is no built-in T function in Excel VBA using VBA. However, we can write a user-defined macro or code in VBA to secure the T() output.
You should use the T function in Excel in the following cases:
• The function is useful when we aim to perform data validation based on text values.
• The function is useful when we aim to perform data manipulation based on text values.
• The function is useful when we aim to filter or sort the given data based on text values.
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