📎 This article includes 1 downloadable practice file ↓
In this article
CELL reports details such as address, column width, number format or file path. Its best-known use is getting the current sheet name.
Syntax
=CELL(info_type, [reference])| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
info_type |
“filename”, “address”, “format”, “width” and more. |
Examples
Example 1
=MID(CELL("filename",A1), FIND("]",CELL("filename",A1))+1, 99)The sheet name (the file must be saved first).
💡 Always pass a reference such as A1. Without it, CELL describes whichever cell was changed last, on any sheet.
CELL in practice
Where you will use it
- File path and sheet name in a header
- Check a cell's format
- Show the column width
Worked example
| Info type | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| address | =CELL(A2,$B$2) | $B$2 |
| col | =CELL(A3,$B$2) | 2 |
| type | =CELL(A4,$B$2) | l |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Without a reference | CELL uses the last changed cell, which changes unpredictably |
| Filename blank | Save the workbook first |
Related functions
INFO · FORMULATEXT
📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.
⚡ Interactive Practice Lab & Formula Tester:
Test formulas dynamically in our web formula laboratory or download the companion Excel workbook.
📎 Practice files for this article
- 📗Practice workbook: Information (IS…) functions15 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.⬇ XLSX · 34 KB
Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.
✨ Ask AI about this article
Stuck on a step? Ask a question and the AI answers using this article.
Free · AI can be wrong