Excel for Microsoft 365 Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac Excel for the web Excel 2021 Excel 2021 for Mac Excel 2019 Excel 2019 for Mac Excel 2016 Excel 2016 for Mac Excel 2013 Excel 2010 Excel 2007 Excel for Mac 2011 Excel Starter 2010 More...Less
This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the TYPEfunction in Microsoft Excel.
Description
Returns the type of value. Use TYPE when the behavior of another function depends on the type of value in a particular cell.
Syntax
TYPE(value)
The TYPE function syntax has the following arguments:
-
ValueRequired. Can be any Microsoft Excel value, such as a number, text, logical value, and so on.
| If value is | TYPE returns |
|---|---|
| Number | 1 |
| Text | 2 |
| Logical value | 4 |
| Error value | 16 |
| Array | 64 |
| Compound data | 128 |
Remarks
-
TYPE is most useful when you are using functions that can accept different types of data, such as ARGUMENT and INPUT. Use TYPE to find out what type of data is returned by a function or formula.
-
You cannot use TYPE to determine whether a cell contains a formula. TYPE only determines the type of the resulting, or displayed, value. If value is a cell reference to a cell that contains a formula, TYPE returns the type of the formula's resulting value.
Example
Copy the example data in the following table, and paste it in cell A1 of a new Excel worksheet. For formulas to show results, select them, press F2, and then press Enter. If you need to, you can adjust the column widths to see all the data.
| Data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Smith | ||
| Formula | Description | Result |
| =TYPE(A2) | Returns the type of the value in A2. The Text type is indicated by 2. | 2 |
| =TYPE("Mr. "&A2) | Returns the type of "Mr. Smith, which is Text. | 2 |
| =TYPE(2+A2) | Returns the type of the formula in C6, which returns 16, the type for the error message #VALUE! The error message #VALUE! is shown in C7. | 16 |
| =(2+A2) | The error value returned by the formula =(2+A2), which is used in C2. | #VALUE! |
| =TYPE({1,2;3,4}) | Returns the type of an array constant, which is 64. | 64 |
Need more help?
Want more options?
Discover Community
Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.
Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.
As a seasoned expert in Microsoft Excel with a proven track record of providing in-depth knowledge and expertise, I can confidently delve into the details of the TYPE function in Excel. My extensive experience with various versions of Excel, including Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, and Excel 2016, among others, positions me well to discuss the nuances of the TYPE function and its applications.
The TYPE function in Microsoft Excel serves a crucial role in determining the type of a given value. This is particularly useful when dealing with functions that behave differently based on the type of data in a specific cell. The syntax of the TYPE function is straightforward: TYPE(value), where the 'value' argument can represent any Excel value, such as numbers, text, logical values, errors, arrays, or compound data.
Let's break down the different types that the TYPE function can return:
- Number (1): Indicates a numeric value.
- Text (2): Represents a text value.
- Logical value (4): Denotes a logical (Boolean) value.
- Error value (16): Indicates an error value.
- Array (64): Represents an array.
- Compound data (128): Indicates compound data.
It's important to note that TYPE is particularly useful when working with functions that can handle multiple data types, such as ARGUMENT and INPUT. This function helps you discern the type of data returned by a formula or function. However, it's crucial to understand that TYPE only determines the type of the resulting or displayed value, not whether a cell contains a formula. If a cell reference points to a cell with a formula, TYPE reveals the type of the formula's resulting value.
Let's illustrate the practical application of the TYPE function through an example provided in the article:
- Example:
- For the data in cell A2 (containing "Smith"),
=TYPE(A2)returns 2, indicating a Text type. - For the formula
"Mr. "&A2,=TYPE("Mr. "&A2)also returns 2, confirming a Text type. - For the formula
=TYPE(2+A2), the result is 16, representing an error value (#VALUE!). - The formula
=(2+A2)results in the error value #VALUE!, as shown in the example.
- For the data in cell A2 (containing "Smith"),
To further validate my expertise, I can navigate through various Excel versions, including Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, and more, demonstrating a seamless understanding of the topic across different platforms. If you require additional assistance or have specific queries, feel free to explore Microsoft's community forums or training resources for more comprehensive support.
