How to use the TYPE Function in Excel

The TYPE function is an information function in Microsoft Excel, and its purpose is to return a number indicating the data type of a value. The user cannot use the TYPE function to determine if the cell contains a formula because the TYPE function only determines the type of displayed value.

Excel TYPE function Formula and Syntax

The Formula for the TYPE function is TYPE(value).

The Syntax for the TYPE function is below:

Value: A Microsoft Excel value, for instance, number, text, logical value, and more. It is required. The TYPE function returns numeric codes that represent the types of values, and there are five categories, namely: Number = 1,  Text = 2, Logical value = 4, Error value = 16 and  Array = 64.

How to use the TYPE Function in Excel

To use the TYPE function, follow the methods below.

1. Launch Excel
2. Create a table or use an existing table
3. Type the formula for the TYPE function into the cell you want to place the result.
4. Press Enter to see the result

Launch Microsoft Excel.

Create a table or use an existing table.

Type the function =TYPE(A2) into the cell you want to place the result.

Then press the enter key to see the result.

A2 contains the value that we want to find the data.

The result for A2 returns the numeric code two, which means the type is Text.

To see the other result in the table, pull the fill handle down.

There are two other methods to use the TYPE function in Excel.

Method one is to click the fx button on the top left of the excel worksheet.

An Insert Function dialog box will appear.

Inside the dialog box in the section, Select a Category, select Information from the list box.

In the section Select a Function, choose the TYPE function from the list.

Then click OK.

A Function Arguments dialog box will open.

In the Value section, input into the entry box the cell  A2.

Then click OK to see the result.

Method two is to click the Formulas tab and click the More Functions button in the Function Library group.

In the list, hover the cursor over Information and select the Type Function.

A Function Arguments dialog box will appear.

We hope this tutorial helps you understand how to use the TYPE function in Excel.

Read: How to Co-Author and Collaborate on Excel Workbooks at the same time.