The Google Sheets function CODE is a valuable tool for users needing to convert the first character of a string into its corresponding numeric Unicode value. This functionality is particularly useful in data manipulation, text analysis, and programming scenarios where understanding character encoding is essential.

Syntax

CODE(string)

• string: This is the text string from which you want to obtain the Unicode value of the first character.

Example #1

CODE("A")

This function retrieves the Unicode value for the character “A”, resulting in the value 65.

Example #2

CODE("😊")

This call returns the Unicode value for the emoji “😊”, yielding 128522 as the result.

Example #3

CODE("Hello")

Here, the function extracts the Unicode value of the first character “H”, which is 72.

Error handling

• VALUE! This error occurs if the input is not a valid text string. Ensure the argument is formatted correctly as text.
• N/A This message appears if the string provided is empty. Ensure that you provide a non-empty string.

Conclusion

In summary, the CODE function in Google Sheets serves a specific purpose of translating the first character of a given string into its numeric Unicode equivalent. This function can be employed in various applications including text analysis and coding. Understanding its syntax and potential errors enhances its usefulness for efficient data processing.