UNICODE Function in Excel: Unicode Number of a Character

UNICODE Function in Excel: Unicode Number of a Character featured illustration

πŸ“Ž This article includes 1 downloadable practice file ↓

⏱ 2 min readUpdated 28 September 2026

TextLevel: IntermediateAvailable in: Excel 2013+

In this article
  1. Syntax
  2. Examples
  3. Example 1
  4. UNICODE in practice
  5. Where you will use it
  6. Worked example
  7. Mistakes people make
  8. Related functions
  9. Continue learning

UNICODE returns the code point of the first character. Unlike CODE it is correct for Hindi, emoji and symbols.

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Syntax

=UNICODE(text)
Argument What it means
text Only the first character is used.

Examples

Example 1

=UNICODE("β‚Ή")

Returns 8377.

UNICODE in practice

Where you will use it

  • Find the code of a hidden character
  • Check if text starts with a Hindi letter
  • Data cleaning

Worked example

TextFormulaResult
β‚Ή=UNICODE(A2)8377
ΰ€…=UNICODE(A3)2309
A=UNICODE(A4)65

Results calculated in Excel.

Mistakes people make

MistakeWhat to do instead
Only first characterUse MID for others
CODE vs UNICODECODE is limited to ANSI

UNICHAR Β· CODE

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    Practice workbook: Text & cleaning24 tasks on realistic sales data β€” type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.
    ⬇ XLSX Β· 35 KB

Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text β€” import them with Alt+F11 β†’ File β†’ Import File, and always test on a copy.

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