The MID function returns a sub-string from a string, starting from a specified location. In this guide, we’re going to show you how to use the Excel MID function and also go over some tips and error handling methods.

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Supported versions

• All Excel versions

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Excel MID Function Syntax

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Arguments

text	The text that contains the sub-string you want to extract.
start_num	The position of the first character of the sub-string you want to extract.
num_chars	The number of characters you want to extract.

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Examples

Example 1

 formula returns "ariz" as text value. The Excel MID function grabs the sub-string from the 3^rd character to 4 more characters.

Example 2

formula starts from the 3^rd position before "a" and returns the rest of the string. Use a large number for the num_chars parameter to return all characters after specified position. Unlike the LEFT and RIGHT functions, num_chars is a required argument in this formula.

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Tips

• Excel MID function will not extract number formatting characters like currency symbols or thousand separators.
• Try the LEFT function to return a sub-string from right.
• Try the RIGHT function return a sub-string from middle of a string.
• You can use the SEARCH and FIND functions to locate the positions of characters.