Text
RIGHT
Definition
RIGHT returns the last characters of a text string.
Syntax
=RIGHT(text, [num_chars])
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
text |
The text, or the cell holding it, to take characters from. |
num_chars |
Optional. How many characters to take from the end. If left out, Excel returns 1. |
Worked example
Shelf codes end with a three-letter paint code. The codes are in A2:A4.
| A: Code |
|---|
| BOX-RED |
| BOX-BLU |
| BOX-GRN |
Formula: =RIGHT(A2,3)
Result: RED. The last three characters of BOX-RED are the paint code.
Practice
Cell A2 holds the word Tuesday. Write a formula that returns the last three characters.
- In B2, write a RIGHT formula that takes the last 3 characters of A2.
- B2 should show the last 3 characters of A2.
Step 1 of 2
Enter =RIGHT(A2,3) in B2.
A2 is Tuesday, so the last 3 characters are day.
Formulas here use English function names, such as SUM, and a period as the decimal separator, in every language.
Loading the sheet…
B2 uses RIGHT.
B2 now shows day.
Related functions
RIGHT takes characters from the end, LEFT takes them from the start, and LEN counts the characters so you can choose how many to keep.
Common mistake
Treating the result as a number: RIGHT on 4816 with 2 characters returns the text 16, which SUM and other number functions will not add inside a range.