Excel REGEXTEST function
Returns TRUE when the text matches a pattern: ideal for validating codes, emails or IDs. In Spanish Excel it is called REGEXPRUEBA.
Syntax
English Excel
=REGEXTEST(text, pattern, [case_sensitivity])
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=REGEXPRUEBA(texto, patrón, [distinción_de_mayúsculas])
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=REGEXPRUEBA(texto; patrón; [distinción_de_mayúsculas])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| text | The text or cell to check. |
| pattern | The regular expression, in quotes. |
| case_sensitivityoptional | 0 is case-sensitive (default), 1 is not. |
Example
A regular expression describes a text pattern: \d is a digit, \D anything that is not, [A-Z] a capital letter, {4} repeats 4 times, + one or more, ^ and $ mark start and end. REGEXTEST says whether the text fits the pattern, REGEXEXTRACT pulls out the matching part and REGEXREPLACE replaces it.
=REGEXTEST(A2,"^[A-Z]{3}-\d{4}$")
Common mistake
Excel 365 only. Put ^ at the start and $ at the end of the pattern to require the whole text to match, not just part of it.
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Practice REGEXTEST
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
Regular expressions: REGEXTEST, REGEXEXTRACT and REGEXREPLACE
A regular expression describes a text pattern: \d is a digit, \D anything that is not, [A-Z] a capital letter, {4} repeats 4 times, + one or more, ^ and $ mark start and end. REGEXTEST says whether the text fits the pattern, REGEXEXTRACT pulls out the matching part and REGEXREPLACE replaces it.
=REGEXTEST(A2,"^[A-Z]{3}-\d{4}$")REGEXPRUEBA = REGEXTESTREGEXEXTRACCION = REGEXEXTRACTREGEXREEMPLAZAR = REGEXREPLACEIn B2, check whether each code has exactly 3 capital letters, a hyphen and 4 digits.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Code | Valid? | Message | Number | Phone | Digits only | |
| 2 | MEX-2041 | Order 4521 shipped | 55-1234-5678 | ||||
| 3 | mx-2018 | Invoice 778 pending | (33) 9876 5432 | ||||
| 4 | GDL-9932 | Ticket 30215 open | 81 2233 4455 | ||||
| 5 | QRO-12345 | Customer 66 called | +52 222 111 0099 | ||||
| 6 | MTY-7781 | Shipment 1290 delayed | 442.555.7788 | ||||
| 7 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference. F4 anchors the reference with $.
Frequently asked questions
- What is REGEXTEST called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is REGEXPRUEBA. The formula =REGEXTEST(A2,"^[A-Z]{3}-\d{4}$") is written =REGEXPRUEBA(A2;"^[A-Z]{3}-\d{4}$") (or with commas in Mexico).
- Why does REGEXTEST use semicolons in some Excel versions?
- It depends on regional settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), Excel separates arguments with semicolons. English Excel and Mexican Spanish Excel use commas.
- What is the most common REGEXTEST mistake?
- Excel 365 only. Put ^ at the start and $ at the end of the pattern to require the whole text to match, not just part of it.