How to use the TYPE function
Author: Oscar Cronquist Article last updated on June 20, 2018
Use TYPE to find out what type of data is returned by a function or formula.
Formula in cell C3:
=TYPE(B3)
Excel Function Syntax
TYPE(value)
Arguments
| value | Required. Any value. |
| If value is | Type function returns |
|---|---|
| Number | 1 |
| Text | 2 |
| Logical value | 4 |
| Error value | 16 |
| Array | 64 |
Comments
You can't use the TYPE function to determine the type of value in a specific cell using a cell reference, the TYPE function will then return the type of the formula's returning value.
Even if the formula returns an array the TYPE function returns only the type of the value displayed in that cell.
Example, the picture above demonstrates an array entered in cell range B3:B4:
={1,"A"}
The TYPE function returns 1 and 2 and not 64.
Functions in this article
Functions in 'Information' category
The TYPE function function is one of many functions in the 'Information' category.
Gets information about the formatting, location, or the contents of a cell.
Returns a number that represents one of the error values in Excel.
Returns information about the current operating environment, file path, number of active worksheets, Excel version etc.
Returns TRUE if the argument is an empty cell, returns FALSE if not.
Returns TRUE if a cell returns an error, except error value #N/A.
Returns TRUE if a cell contains an error.
Returns TRUE if a cell contains a formula, FALSE if text, number or boolean value.
Returns TRUE if value is boolean. A boolean value is either TRUE or FALSE.
Returns TRUE if value is a #N/A error.
Returns TRUE if value is not text, also returns TRUE if cell is empty.
Checks if a value is a number, returns TRUE or FALSE.
Returns TRUE if a cell contains an odd number, FALSE if even number.
Returns TRUE if value refers to a reference.
Returns TRUE if argument is text.
Returns a value converted into a number.
Returns the error value #N/A meaning "value is not available".
Returns the sheet number of the cell reference sheet.
Returns the number of sheets in a reference.
Use TYPE to find out what type of data is returned by a function or formula.
Excel function categories
Excel functions that let you resize, combine, and shape arrays.
Functions for backward compatibility with earlier Excel versions. Compatibility functions are replaced with newer functions with improved accuracy. Use the new functions if compatibility isn't required.
Perform basic operations to a database-like structure.
Functions that let you perform calculations to Excel date and time values.
Let's you manipulate binary numbers, convert values between different numeral systems, and calculate imaginary numbers.
Calculate present value, interest, accumulated interest, principal, accumulated principal, depreciation, payment, price, growth, yield for securities, and other financial calculations.
Functions that let you get information from a cell, formatting, formula, worksheet, workbook, filepath, and other entitites.
Functions that let you return and manipulate logical values, and also control formula calculations based on logical expressions.
These functions let you sort, lookup, get external data like stock quotes, filter values based a condition or criteria, and get the relative position of a given value in a specific cell range. They also let you calculate row, column, and other properties of cell references.
You will find functions in this category that calculates random values, round numerical values, create sequential numbers, trigonometry, and more.
Calculate distributions, binomial distributions, exponential distribution, probabilities, variance, covariance, confidence interval, frequency, geometric mean, standard deviation, average, median, and other statistical metrics.
Functions that let you manipulate text values, substitute strings, find string in value, extract a substring in a string, convert characters to ANSI code among other functions.
Get data from the internet, extract data from an XML string and more.
Excel categories
Latest updated articles.
More than 300 Excel functions with detailed information including syntax, arguments, return values, and examples for most of the functions used in Excel formulas.
More than 1300 formulas organized in subcategories.
Excel Tables simplifies your work with data, adding or removing data, filtering, totals, sorting, enhance readability using cell formatting, cell references, formulas, and more.
Allows you to filter data based on selected value , a given text, or other criteria. It also lets you filter existing data or move filtered values to a new location.
Lets you control what a user can type into a cell. It allows you to specifiy conditions and show a custom message if entered data is not valid.
Lets the user work more efficiently by showing a list that the user can select a value from. This lets you control what is shown in the list and is faster than typing into a cell.
Lets you name one or more cells, this makes it easier to find cells using the Name box, read and understand formulas containing names instead of cell references.
The Excel Solver is a free add-in that uses objective cells, constraints based on formulas on a worksheet to perform what-if analysis and other decision problems like permutations and combinations.
An Excel feature that lets you visualize data in a graph.
Format cells or cell values based a condition or criteria, there a multiple built-in Conditional Formatting tools you can use or use a custom-made conditional formatting formula.
Lets you quickly summarize vast amounts of data in a very user-friendly way. This powerful Excel feature lets you then analyze, organize and categorize important data efficiently.
VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications and is a computer programming language developed by Microsoft, it allows you to automate time-consuming tasks and create custom functions.
A program or subroutine built in VBA that anyone can create. Use the macro-recorder to quickly create your own VBA macros.
UDF stands for User Defined Functions and is custom built functions anyone can create.
A list of all published articles.
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