We will learn how to use CHAR function in Google Sheets in this tutorial. Thanks to this handy feature, you can quickly retrieve individual characters by using their distinct ASCII codes. In essence, it gives you the ability to utilize and access characters in your spreadsheets in a way that is flexible and suited to your requirements. The CHAR function’s ability to return the character linked to a particular code number is what gives it its magic. Either an ASCII value (short for American Standard Code for Information Interchange) or a Unicode value, which broadens its reach to include a wider range of characters than ASCII, can be assigned to this code number.
To put it simply, the CHAR function is a great tool for anything involving Google Sheets because it essentially serves as a link between numerical codes and the characters they stand for.
Why We Need to Use CHAR Function in Google Sheets?
The Google Sheets CHAR function is an essential tool for managing and modifying text data in spreadsheets. The CHAR function can be required for the following reasons:
Special Characters: By providing their ASCII code, CHAR enables you to add special characters to your text strings. This helps format or produce visually pleasing text.
Line Breaks: A line break is indicated by CHAR(10). When you wish to format text across several lines in a single cell, this is useful.
Non-Printing Characters: CHAR can be used to handle non-printing characters that may be in your data, assisting you in recognizing and manipulating them as necessary.
Custom Text Manipulation: To handle particular formatting requirements with flexibility, you can utilize CHAR in conjunction with other methods to customize and manipulate text in different ways.
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How to Use CHAR Function in Google Sheets
We’ll walk you through every step of using CHAR function in Google Sheets. in this tutorial. Learn how to use CHAR to improve your spreadsheet skills, whether you want to create dynamic text strings, generate unique characters, or perform other text-related tasks.
Example 1: How to Use CHAR Function in Google Sheets
Step 1>
Open the Google Sheets spreadsheet that you want to utilize the CHAR function on.
Step 2>
Click on the cell in which you want the output of the CHAR function to appear in.
Step 3>
Enter the following formula in the selected cell: =CHAR(code)
For example, to enter the ASCII code for the letter “N“, enter 78 in the formula =CHAR(78)
Step 4>
Press the Enter key on your keyboard after entering the formula.
Example 2: How to Use CHAR Function in Google Sheets
The CHAR function can also be used to add emojis to the spreadsheet. We need to know the decimal Unicode of the desired emoji or emojis to perform this.
9995 is the Unicode for the raise hand emoji if we wish to enter one. Thus, the following will be the formula:
Furthermore, we can use the CHAR function to input several emojis of the same kind or different kinds. To add more than one emoji, just input the formula, the letter “&“, and as many emojis as you’d like.
Example 3: How to Use CHAR Function in Google Sheets
For example, let’s imagine that we are required to enter the Kinetic Energy equation (KE=1/2mv2) in a data table for a physics study. To do this, we search for the Unicode value 178 for the power of 2. The desired number to be inserted as a superscript is then typed, as can be seen below, along with the code number for the CHAR function, the formula’s normal characters enclosed by a pair of quote marks, and the sign “&“.
Take a look at the chemical formula for water, which is H2O—two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The subscript can be created using the CHAR function in the same manner as the superscript example.
Example 4: How to Use CHAR Function in Google Sheets
Suppose you have an employee list where each employee’s first and last name is listed in a row. The CHAR function can be used to combine the cell names into a single cell.
This can be accomplished by using the Unicode value 32 for space. The field to the right of the first list of names is then used to insert a formula.
=A3&Char(32)&B3
where A3 is the first name’s cell number in the list, and B3 is the last name’s cell number.
Once the Enter key is pressed, the first and last names are combined and entered into a single cell. The remaining names are combined when you move the cell down.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to integrate CHAR with other Google Sheets functions?
Definitely! CHAR can be used in conjunction with several other Google Sheets functions to produce results that are more dynamic and intricate.
How can I use CHAR to discover the Unicode value of a certain character?
Online Unicode charts and tools can be used to determine a character’s Unicode value. To display that particular character, just enter the Unicode value into the CHAR function.
Does CHAR have a limited range of character kinds that it can produce?
A wide variety of choices are available when using the CHAR function to generate characters from the Unicode character set. However, depending on the font being used, some characters could not appear or render correctly.
Is there a maximum amount of characters that I can create in a single cell using CHAR?
The amount of characters you can create in a cell using CHAR has no intrinsic limit. When working with lengthy character strings, bear in mind the practical readability and formatting considerations.
Is it possible to add line breaks and other formatting elements with CHAR?
CHAR can produce a wide range of characters, including line breaks, but its usefulness will depend on the application. Try a variety of characters to get the appropriate layout.
If I share the document with someone else, would the characters created by CHAR appear correctly?
Yes, the characters created by CHAR should display appropriately when the document is shared as long as the recipients have access to the same font or Unicode character set.
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Conclusion
So today we learn How to Use CHAR Function in Google Sheets. The CHAR function turns Google Sheets into a blank canvas for artistic data visualization. The adaptability of CHAR extends to dynamic text and symbols alike. For the best effect, try font combinations and keep in mind to balance font considerations. Improve the look and feel of your spreadsheets and turn your data into something more than just useful information.