FORMULATEXT Function in Excel: Show a Formula as Text

⏱ 1 min readUpdated 28 September 2026

LookupLevel: IntermediateAvailable in: Excel 2013+

In this article
  1. Syntax
  2. Examples
  3. Example 1
  4. Common errors and fixes
  5. Related functions

FORMULATEXT displays the formula of another cell — perfect for documenting models and training sheets.

Syntax

=FORMULATEXT(reference)
Argument What it means
reference A cell containing a formula.

Examples

Example 1

=FORMULATEXT(C5)

Shows =SUMIFS(…) next to the result so reviewers see the logic.

Common errors and fixes

You see Why, and the fix
#N/A The referenced cell has a value, not a formula.

ISFORMULA · CELL

📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.

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