Technology

What is the Excel Right function? Simple and illustrated examples on how to use the Excel Right function.

The Right function in Excel is used to extract the characters you want to retrieve in Excel. When you have a list of file names, email addresses, or other information, you can use the Right function in these cases. Let's explore what the Right function is!

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8 January, 2024

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Are you looking for a way to use the Right function in Excel and the formula of the function to work or study? In this article, FPT Shop will guide you through all the steps to use the Right function in Excel and provide examples. Let’s find out!

1. What is the purpose of the Right function in Excel?

Some benefits when you use the Right function in Excel:

The Right function is used to extract characters that you want to retrieve from a long string of characters.
Quick, time-saving, and efficient.
Can be applied to multiple sets of data.

2. Use the Right function in Excel to cut the right part of the character string

This method will help you take characters (letters, numbers, etc.) on the right side of the character string to another cell while still maintaining the original character string.

2.1. Quick guide

Step 1: Select any cell on the Excel sheet to enter the formula.

Step 2: Enter the Right function formula in the cell: =Right(cell with content to extract; number of characters to extract)

Step 3: Press Enter and you’re done.

2.2. How to use the Right function in Excel in detail

FPT Shop will use the following example to illustrate how to use the Right function in Excel.

Step 1: Select a cell where you want to enter the formula. Usually, we will choose the cell near the original content column to easily compare data. Depending on your requirements, you can choose a more suitable cell to enter the formula.

Step 2: Enter =Right( in the cell, the formula =Right (Text, [num_chars]) will appear.

Step 3: The Text part, select the cell with the character string to be extracted → Enter ; (semicolon) or , (comma) depending on the Excel format.

Note:

Do not leave the Text part blank.
The separator between the Text and Num_chars can be a semicolon or comma depending on the Excel format.
If an error occurs, check the Excel format that accepts the “;” or “,” separator.

Step 4: In the Num_chart, enter the number of characters to extract → Enter the right parenthesis “)” symbol. In this example, FPT Shop will enter the number 3 because the initial example requires extracting the right 3 characters).

Note:

Do not leave the cell blank, the device will automatically fill in 0 or 1 in this case, resulting in an incorrect result.
Num_chart > 0 (not equal to 0 or less than 0).
There must be a right parenthesis “)” at the end of the formula and at the beginning of the formula.

Step 4: Enter to get the final result.

Step 6: In case you want to extract multiple character strings. You just need to hold the mouse at the small square in the top right corner of the cell with the formula, then drag down the entire column.

Note: To use this method, you need to arrange the data in one row or column like the example to get the most accurate results!

3. Combine the Right function with other functions in Excel

3.1. Get the right character of data with the Right and Value functions

The Right function is often used to extract a number of last characters from a string. However, the result of this function is still a text string. To convert this text string into a numerical value, you can use the Value function.

Step 1: When combining Value and Right, we enter the formula =Value(Right(Text,Numcharts)) into the cell where you want to output the characters.

Step 2: Press Enter to finish the operation.

3.2. Cut a character string with the Right and Len functions

The Len function is used to determine the length of a string and then combined with the “–” sign to take a specific part of the string. Usually, this function will take characters on the right side.

Step 1: Enter the formula =Right(Text,Len(Text)-3)) into any cell you have selected earlier. When finishing the formula, there must be 2 parentheses, 1 to end the Right function and 1 to end the Len function.

Text: The cell containing the content to be cut.
-3: The number of characters to cut.

Step 2: Press Enter to complete the operation. If you want to output a data string, perform the drag and drop operation as in the previous sections.

4. Common errors of the Right function in Microsoft Excel

4.1. The input is not text

The Right function is often used on cells containing text. If you apply this function to a cell containing numbers or dates, you may encounter an error. Make sure the input data is text or convert it to text if necessary.

4.2. The number of characters to retrieve is inappropriate

If you specify a number of characters to retrieve that exceeds the actual length of the string, Excel will return the entire string. Make sure the number of characters you choose does not exceed the length of the string.

4.3. Missing closing parenthesis

If you don’t close the right parenthesis correctly after entering the function, Excel may display a “#NAME?“ error. If the separator between Text and Num_chars does not have “,“ or “;“, a similar error message will appear.

4.4. Empty cell, empty string

If the cell you apply the Right function to contains an empty string, the result will also be 1 or 0. If the cell to which you apply the Right function does not contain a value (for example, an empty cell), the software will display an error.

Above is an article on how to use the Right function, the Right function formula in Microsoft Excel, and common errors. If you have any questions, please comment below, FPT Shop will respond as soon as possible!