Formulas > =LEN()

How To Use LEN() Function in Google Sheets

Description

Returns the length of a string.

What are the common questions about the LEN formula?

What does the LEN formula do in Google Sheets?
How do I use the LEN formula to count the number of characters in a cell?
Can the LEN formula count spaces and special characters?
Can I use the LEN formula to count the number of words in a cell?
How can I combine the LEN formula with other formulas or functions?

How can the LEN formula be used appropriately?
Counting the number of characters in a cell or a range of cells.
Determining the length of a text string to perform conditional formatting or data validation.
Calculating the number of characters in a cell to limit input length in a data entry field.
Combining the LEN formula with other formulas or functions to perform more complex calculations.

How can the LEN formula be commonly mistyped?
Misspelling the formula as "LENN" or "LENNN."
Forgetting to include the equal sign (=) at the beginning of the formula.
Incorrectly using uppercase or lowercase letters in the formula (e.g., Len, len, LeN).

What are some common ways the LEN formula is used inappropriately?
Using the LEN formula to count the number of cells in a range (use COUNT or COUNTA instead).
Applying the LEN formula to non-textual data, such as numbers or dates (it only counts characters in text strings).
Expecting the LEN formula to count words in a cell (it only counts characters, not words).

What are some common pitfalls when using the LEN formula?
Forgetting to update the formula when you copy or drag it to other cells, resulting in incorrect character counts.
Neglecting to consider leading or trailing spaces, which can affect the character count.
Misinterpreting the output of the LEN formula when dealing with multi-byte characters, such as emojis or non-English characters (it counts each character, not each visible symbol).

What are common mistakes when using the LEN formula?
Not properly referencing the cell or range in the formula, leading to errors.
Using the LEN formula within an incorrect syntax, such as combining it with incompatible operators or functions.
Overlooking the need to format the output of the LEN formula as a number, especially when using it as input for other calculations.

What are common misconceptions people might have with the LEN formula?
Assuming the LEN formula can count words in a cell (it only counts characters).
Believing the LEN formula can automatically exclude spaces or specific characters from the count (it counts all characters, including spaces).
Expecting the LEN formula to count the number of visible or rendered characters on the screen (it counts all characters, including formatting and hidden characters).

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How To Actually Use LEN() in Sheets

LEN(text)

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Learn more about the LEN() formula:

LEN function

Discover how to use the LEN function with text string.

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