The ISTEXT function in Google Sheets is a versatile tool that allows users to determine whether a specific value is formatted as text. This function can be particularly useful when dealing with data validation, ensuring that the information processed is of the expected type, thereby minimizing errors in data analysis and calculations.

Syntax

ISTEXT(value)

Example #1

=ISTEXT("Hello")

checks if “Hello” is text. The result is TRUE because it is indeed a text string.
Result: TRUE

Example #2

=ISTEXT(123)

evaluates whether 123 is text. The result is FALSE as 123 is a numeric value.
Result: FALSE

Example #3

=ISTEXT(A1)

verifies if the content of cell A1 is text. If A1 contains “Sample text”, the result will be TRUE; if it contains a number, it will be FALSE.
Result: Based on A1’s content, either TRUE or FALSE

Error handling

• VALUE! – This error appears if the input value is of an incompatible type, such as an array or an unsupported type.
• N/A – Occurs when referencing an empty cell.

Conclusion

In summary, the ISTEXT function is an essential tool for users looking to validate text data within their Google Sheets. By ensuring that values are correctly identified as text, it enhances the reliability of data analysis and contributes to more accurate results. Utilizing this function can significantly reduce errors associated with incorrect data types in spreadsheets.