Products

FORMULATEXT function

PRO

The FORMULATEXT function in Jspreadsheet Formulas Pro is a useful tool that allows you to retrieve the formula used in a specific cell but presents it as text. This is especially handy when you want to understand or document the calculations used in a spreadsheet. You just need to refer to the cell you're interested in, and the function will provide the formula as a readable text string, thus simplifying the process of tracking and understanding the calculations.

Documentation

Returns the formula in a cell as text.

Category

Lookup and reference

Syntax

FORMULATEXT(reference)

Parameter Description
reference A valid cell reference whose formula you want to retrieve. This must be a single cell, not a range.

Behavior

The FORMULATEXT function is a useful tool that displays the formula used in a referenced cell. Here's how it behaves:

  • Empty Cells: If the referenced cell is empty or does not contain a formula, the FORMULATEXT function will return #N/A.
  • Text: If the referenced cell contains plain text and not a formula, the FORMULATEXT function will return #N/A.
  • Booleans: If the cell contains a formula that results in a Boolean value, FORMULATEXT will display the formula, not the Boolean result.
  • Errors: If the cell contains a formula that results in an error, FORMULATEXT will display the formula, not the error result.
  • Array Formulas: If the referenced cell contains an array formula, FORMULATEXT will display the entire array formula.

Common Errors

Error Description
#N/A This error occurs when the referenced cell does not contain a formula. It also occurs when the cell is empty.
#REF! This error occurs when the referenced cell is invalid or does not exist.
#VALUE! Returned when the provided reference argument is not a valid cell reference or is not a single cell.

Best practices

  • When using FORMULATEXT, ensure the referenced cell contains a formula to avoid the #N/A error.
  • Use FORMULATEXT to help debug formulas in your spreadsheet by easily viewing the formula of a cell without having to select it.
  • Be aware that FORMULATEXT will display the formula exactly as it exists in the cell. This includes any spaces or formatting that may be present.
  • FORMULATEXT can be very useful for teaching or learning purposes, as it allows you to see and understand how different formulas work within the spreadsheet.

Usage

A few examples using the FORMULATEXT function.

FORMULATEXT(A2) returns "=SUM(B2:B5)" in case that is the value of A2  
FORMULATEXT(C3) returns "=IF(A1>B1,A1-B1,B1-A1)" in case that is the value of C3  
FORMULATEXT(D4) returns "=AVERAGE(A1:A10)" in case that is the value of D4  

Interactive Spreadsheet Demo

<html>
<script src="https://jspreadsheet.com/v11/jspreadsheet.js"></script>
<script src="https://jsuites.net/v5/jsuites.js"></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://jsuites.net/v5/jsuites.css" type="text/css" />
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://jspreadsheet.com/v11/jspreadsheet.css" type="text/css" />

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Material+Icons" />
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@jspreadsheet/formula-pro/dist/index.min.js"></script>

<div id="spreadsheet"></div>

<script>
// Set your JSS license key (The following key only works for one day)
jspreadsheet.setLicense('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');

// Set the extensions
jspreadsheet.setExtensions({ formula });

// Create a new spreadsheet
jspreadsheet(document.getElementById('spreadsheet'), {
  worksheets: [{
    data: [
    [
        10,
        20,
        "=A1+B1"
    ],
    [
        15,
        25,
        "=FORMULATEXT(C1)"
    ],
    [
        8,
        12,
        "=AVERAGE(A1:B3)"
    ],
    [
        "Total:",
        "=SUM(A1:A3)",
        "=FORMULATEXT(C3)"
    ]
]
  }]
});
</script>
</html>
import React, { useRef } from "react";
import { Spreadsheet, Worksheet, jspreadsheet } from "@jspreadsheet/react";
import formula from "@jspreadsheet/formula-pro";
import "jsuites/dist/jsuites.css";
import "jspreadsheet/dist/jspreadsheet.css";

// Set license
jspreadsheet.setLicense('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');

// Set the extensions
jspreadsheet.setExtensions({ formula });

export default function App() {
    // Spreadsheet array of worksheets
    const spreadsheet = useRef();

    // Worksheet data
    const data = [
    [
        10,
        20,
        "=A1+B1"
    ],
    [
        15,
        25,
        "=FORMULATEXT(C1)"
    ],
    [
        8,
        12,
        "=AVERAGE(A1:B3)"
    ],
    [
        "Total:",
        "=SUM(A1:A3)",
        "=FORMULATEXT(C3)"
    ]
];

    // Render component
    return (
        <Spreadsheet ref={spreadsheet}>
            <Worksheet data={data} />
        </Spreadsheet>
    );
}
<template>
    <Spreadsheet ref="spreadsheet">
        <Worksheet :data="data" />
    </Spreadsheet>
</template>

<script>
import { Spreadsheet, Worksheet, jspreadsheet } from "@jspreadsheet/vue";
import "jsuites/dist/jsuites.css";
import "jspreadsheet/dist/jspreadsheet.css";
import formula from "@jspreadsheet/formula-pro";

// Set license
jspreadsheet.setLicense('ZTUxMTY2MDEyN2I2YmQ2MzQwNThjOTdlYTA2Y2QwM2M2OTgxZjVhOTJjZjE1OWE5N2U3ZGFiZDExY2M2NzgyNjY1OWE2OTZlNjkzNWNmMDQzMjk0MGVlZjZiZDM5MjU2N2Y2ZDliMTkyMGJjNDYwNjc1ZDk0NTc4NjdkMjU2OTEsZXlKamJHbGxiblJKWkNJNklpSXNJbTVoYldVaU9pSktjM0J5WldGa2MyaGxaWFFpTENKa1lYUmxJam94TnpVM01EY3pOVGcxTENKa2IyMWhhVzRpT2xzaWFuTndjbVZoWkhOb1pXVjBMbU52YlNJc0ltTnZaR1Z6WVc1a1ltOTRMbWx2SWl3aWFuTm9aV3hzTG01bGRDSXNJbU56WWk1aGNIQWlMQ0p6ZEdGamEySnNhWFI2TG1sdklpd2lkMlZpWTI5dWRHRnBibVZ5TG1sdklpd2lkMlZpSWl3aWJHOWpZV3hvYjNOMElsMHNJbkJzWVc0aU9pSXpOQ0lzSW5OamIzQmxJanBiSW5ZM0lpd2lkamdpTENKMk9TSXNJbll4TUNJc0luWXhNU0lzSW1Ob1lYSjBjeUlzSW1admNtMXpJaXdpWm05eWJYVnNZU0lzSW5CaGNuTmxjaUlzSW5KbGJtUmxjaUlzSW1OdmJXMWxiblJ6SWl3aWFXMXdiM0owWlhJaUxDSmlZWElpTENKMllXeHBaR0YwYVc5dWN5SXNJbk5sWVhKamFDSXNJbkJ5YVc1MElpd2ljMmhsWlhSeklpd2lZMnhwWlc1MElpd2ljMlZ5ZG1WeUlpd2ljMmhoY0dWeklpd2labTl5YldGMElsMHNJbVJsYlc4aU9uUnlkV1Y5');

// Set the extensions
jspreadsheet.setExtensions({ formula });

export default {
    components: {
        Spreadsheet,
        Worksheet,
    },
    data() {
        // Worksheet data
        const data = [
    [
        10,
        20,
        "=A1+B1"
    ],
    [
        15,
        25,
        "=FORMULATEXT(C1)"
    ],
    [
        8,
        12,
        "=AVERAGE(A1:B3)"
    ],
    [
        "Total:",
        "=SUM(A1:A3)",
        "=FORMULATEXT(C3)"
    ]
]

        return {
            data
        };
    }
}
</script>
import { Component, ViewChild, ElementRef } from "@angular/core";
import jspreadsheet from "jspreadsheet";
import * as formula from "@jspreadsheet/formula-pro";

// Set your JSS license key (The following key only works for one day)
jspreadsheet.setLicense('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');

// Set the extensions
jspreadsheet.setExtensions({ formula });

@Component({
    standalone: true,
    selector: "app-root",
    template: `<div #spreadsheet></div>`
})
export class AppComponent {
    @ViewChild("spreadsheet") spreadsheet: ElementRef;
    // Worksheets
    worksheets: jspreadsheet.worksheetInstance[];

    // Create a new data grid
    ngAfterViewInit() {
        // Create spreadsheet
        this.worksheets = jspreadsheet(this.spreadsheet.nativeElement, {
            worksheets: [{
                data: [
    [
        10,
        20,
        "=A1+B1"
    ],
    [
        15,
        25,
        "=FORMULATEXT(C1)"
    ],
    [
        8,
        12,
        "=AVERAGE(A1:B3)"
    ],
    [
        "Total:",
        "=SUM(A1:A3)",
        "=FORMULATEXT(C3)"
    ]
]
            }]
        });
    }
}