The Excel T function lets you check whether the given value is a valid text string or not. If it is a valid text string, the function returns the exact text string; otherwise, it returns an empty or blank value.
For example, suppose that you are a Sales Manager. For the annual meeting, you need a list of the top clients acquired in the given year. You told your team members to share the list. Each team member works on a different category. This list will include the top clients in the respective category.
However, as you can see in the above image, a few team members entered the client code instead of the name.
Now, our task is to identify the valid names in the above table.
Our formula would be as follows:
=T(A2)Where cell A2 contains the name of the first client.
The results are displayed in the following GIF.
As shown above, the blanks represent the invalid names or client codes.
Syntax
The T is a simple function with the following syntax.
=T(value)Where the value argument must be replaced with any value to be tested.
Here is a quick list of different input values:
| Input Value | Output |
|---|---|
| Any text | Same text |
| Any number | An empty text string |
| A valid date | An empty text string |
| Errors | Same error code for all types of errors in Excel. |
| Other values | An empty text string |
Important Notes:
- The function is not case-sensitive.
- The text values are unchanged. They are returned as is.
- If you specify logical values, the function does not treat them as text and returns an empty text string.
- If you specify an empty or blank cell reference, the function returns an empty string.
How to use the T Function in Excel
Download the example spreadsheet used to demonstrate the T function in the upcoming section. Practice is the key to success!
Example 1: T Function Basics
Suppose that you are analyzing the projects completed by different teams in your company. Refer to the following image.
You are expecting the following inputs in the Status column:
- Not Started
- In Progress
- Completed
- Delayed
- On Hold
However, for a few projects, the corresponding team has mentioned the progress in percentage and marked the status using logical values (TRUE and FALSE).
Our task is to separate the valid entries using the T function in Excel.
Here are the steps:
- Select the cell C2
- Type =T
- Choose the first option from the popup
- Specify the cell reference B2
- Complete the parentheses using )
- Hit the Enter key
Our formula would be as follows,
=T(B2)Where cell B2 contains the value to be checked, if it is a valid status, the formula would return it as is.
The results are displayed in the following image.
Takeaway
T is one of the rarely used functions in Excel. It is one of the two functions in Excel that contains only one character.
I hope this article taught you all the bells and whistles of the T function. Please comment below if you are stuck or encounter any particular error while using it. I will answer your questions as soon as possible.
Additional Resources:
- Learn All Excel Information Functions (With Examples)
- N Function in Excel
- IF Function in Excel
- Types of Errors in Excel
- Guide to Conditional Formatting in Excel
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