Intro
Discover how to use Google Sheets string contains function with ease. This step-by-step guide covers the syntax, examples, and best practices for searching and manipulating text strings. Master the art of finding specific words or phrases within cells and learn how to use regex, wildcard characters, and multiple criteria to refine your searches.
Mastering Google Sheets: A Step-By-Step Guide to Using String Contains
Google Sheets is a powerful tool for data analysis and manipulation. One of its most useful features is the ability to search for specific text within a cell or range of cells using the CONTAINS function. In this article, we'll explore the basics of using CONTAINS in Google Sheets, including its syntax, examples, and best practices.
What is the CONTAINS Function?
The CONTAINS function in Google Sheets checks if a cell or range of cells contains a specific text string. It returns a boolean value of TRUE if the text is found, and FALSE otherwise. The syntax for the CONTAINS function is:
=CONTAINS(range, text)
Where:
rangeis the cell or range of cells to searchtextis the text string to search for
Basic Usage of CONTAINS
Here's an example of how to use the CONTAINS function:
=CONTAINS(A1, "hello")
This formula checks if the cell A1 contains the text "hello". If it does, the formula returns TRUE; otherwise, it returns FALSE.
Using CONTAINS with Multiple Cells
You can also use the CONTAINS function to search for text within multiple cells. For example:
=CONTAINS(A1:B2, "hello")
This formula checks if the range of cells A1:B2 contains the text "hello".
Case Sensitivity and CONTAINS
By default, the CONTAINS function is case-sensitive. This means that it treats "hello" and "Hello" as different text strings. If you want to perform a case-insensitive search, you can use the LOWER or UPPER function to convert both the cell contents and the search text to the same case.
For example:
=CONTAINS(LOWER(A1), LOWER("hello"))
This formula converts both the cell contents and the search text to lowercase before performing the search.
Using CONTAINS with Regular Expressions
Google Sheets also supports regular expressions (regex) in the CONTAINS function. You can use regex to search for complex patterns within text.
For example:
=REGEXMATCH(A1, "hello|world")
This formula uses regex to search for either the text "hello" or "world" within the cell A1.
Real-World Examples of CONTAINS
Here are a few real-world examples of using the CONTAINS function:
- Checking if a customer's email address contains a specific domain
- Searching for specific keywords within a text document
- Validating user input to ensure it meets certain criteria
Best Practices for Using CONTAINS
Here are a few best practices to keep in mind when using the CONTAINS function:
- Always specify the range or cell to search, even if it's just a single cell
- Use the
LOWERorUPPERfunction to perform case-insensitive searches - Use regex to search for complex patterns within text
- Test your formulas thoroughly to ensure they're working as expected
Google Sheets CONTAINS Function Gallery
We hope this article has helped you master the CONTAINS function in Google Sheets. With its powerful search capabilities and flexibility, CONTAINS is an essential tool for any data analyst or spreadsheet enthusiast. Don't be afraid to experiment and push the limits of what you can do with CONTAINS!
What's your favorite way to use the CONTAINS function? Share your examples and tips in the comments below!