You can use REGEXMATCH:
=IF(REGEXMATCH(A1, "sites"), 1, 0)
REGEXMATCH returns true if the first argument matches the regular expression given by the second argument. As long as the second argument has no regex special metacharacters (^ $ \ . * + ? ( ) [ ] { } |), this returns true if that argument is a substring of your string.
Google Support
support.google.com › docs › thread › 296695635 › is-there-a-formula-to-check-if-a-cell-contains-certain-text
is there a formula to check if a cell contains certain text? - Google Docs Editors Community
September 14, 2024 - Skip to main content · Google Docs Editors Help · Sign in · Google Help · Help Center · Community · Google Docs Editors · Terms of Service · Submit feedback · Send feedback on
Statology
statology.org › home › google sheets: a simple formula for “if contains”
Google Sheets: A Simple Formula for "If Contains"
March 31, 2025 - The IF() combined with REGEXMATCH() formula gives you a flexible way to check if cells contain specific text in Google Sheets.
Is there a if text contains vs if text exact function? Instead of =IF(C1="Store 1","Arizona" I'd like it to just look for "store" so it would find store 1, store 10, and store 25.
Yes: =IF(REGEXMATCH(C1,"Store"), "Arizona", ...) will work for any cells containing "Store". If not all the cells containing "Store" in column C are located in Arizona, then it would probably be better to use a lookup table, as arnoldsomen mentioned, although I would recommend trying XLOOKUP first since it is more flexible. More on reddit.com
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April 29, 2023if statement - Google Sheets - IF cell contains certain text (or texts) then return values - Stack Overflow
I've been searching all over and can't get this right. I am trying to create an alert that returns a word or words when certain words are found in a cell. I want the formula to search for specific ... More on stackoverflow.com
Formula If Cell Contains Text - Google Sheets
Hello, I'm trying to workout a formula to: - If cell A1 contains the text "test text", then make cell H1 return the word "hello" - I still want to be able to type other text into cell H1 if required, so I'm not looking at inputting the formula directly into cell H1 - Can I add in a formula... More on mrexcel.com
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0
May 10, 2024If cell contains anything, then...
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1
February 8, 2017Does Coefficient work with both Google Sheets and Excel?
Yes, Coefficient supports both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. You can install Coefficient from the Google Workspace Marketplace for Sheets or from Microsoft AppSource for Excel.
coefficient.io
coefficient.io › home
IF CONTAINS Google Sheets: Mastering Conditional Data Searches
What is Coefficient's AI Sheets Assistant?
AI Sheets Assistant is Coefficient's AI-powered feature that helps you build formulas, create charts, generate pivot tables, and build entire dashboards using natural language commands in Google Sheets. Unlike generic AI assistants, it's context-aware and creates native Google Sheets objects that are live and editable. It understands your spreadsheet's layout and data structure to provide accurate, actionable results.
coefficient.io
coefficient.io › home
IF CONTAINS Google Sheets: Mastering Conditional Data Searches
What is Coefficient?
Coefficient is a no-code spreadsheet automation platform that connects Google Sheets and Excel to 100+ business systems including Salesforce, HubSpot, QuickBooks, NetSuite, Snowflake, MySQL, Looker and more. It enables live data sync, automated refreshes, two-way data integration, and AI-powered insights without any coding required. Over 700,000 users trust Coefficient to automate their spreadsheet workflows.
coefficient.io
coefficient.io › home
IF CONTAINS Google Sheets: Mastering Conditional Data Searches
20:28
Find or check if a cell contains text from a list of values in ...
03:52
IF CONTAINS in Google Sheets - YouTube
03:17
How to Use IF CONTAINS in Google Sheets - YouTube
03:05
How To Use IF CONTAINS In Google Sheets (Easiest Way) (2026 Guide) ...
06:43
How to Use IF and IFS Functions in Google Sheets Fast! - YouTube
Top answer 1 of 11
198
You can use REGEXMATCH:
=IF(REGEXMATCH(A1, "sites"), 1, 0)
REGEXMATCH returns true if the first argument matches the regular expression given by the second argument. As long as the second argument has no regex special metacharacters (^ $ \ . * + ? ( ) [ ] { } |), this returns true if that argument is a substring of your string.
2 of 11
31
If you, as Ryan Shillington suggests, want to know the number of cells within a range that has "sites" in it, you might try:
=COUNTIF(A1:A100;"*sites*")
The * acts as a wildcard notion, so it will look for a match anywhere within the cell, not just an exact match for the whole cell.
I've also done this with a cell reference instead of "sites", but then you have to add wildcard-asterixes to the text in the cell.
Coefficient
coefficient.io › home
IF CONTAINS Google Sheets: Mastering Conditional Data Searches
February 20, 2024 - While Google Sheets lacks a direct “IF CONTAINS” function, a clever mix of “IF” with “REGEXMATCH” or “SEARCH” can get the job done. This guide will walk you through creating conditional statements that trigger actions based on ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlesheets › is there a if text contains vs if text exact function? instead of =if(c1="store 1","arizona" i'd like it to just look for "store" so it would find store 1, store 10, and store 25.
Is there a if text contains vs if text exact function? Instead of =IF(C1="Store 1","Arizona" I'd like it to just look for "store" so it would find store 1, store 10, and store 25. : r/googlesheets
April 29, 2023 - Yes: =IF(REGEXMATCH(C1,"Store"), "Arizona", ...) will work for any cells containing "Store".
Spreadsheet Point
spreadsheetpoint.com › home › formula posts › if contains google sheets: search + regexmatch
If Cell Contains Text in Google Sheets, Here Are the Fastest Formulas That Actually Work
There isn’t a specific IF CONTAINS function in Google Sheets. However, you can combine the IF and the SEARCH (or REGEXMATCH) function to determine whether a cell contains a particular value.
Published: January 9, 2026
Simular
simular.ai › workflow › how-to-use-google-sheets-contains-practical-guide
How to Use Google Sheets Contains: Practical Guide
August 13, 2026 - ... You can visually flag cells that contain certain text the moment someone types it. Select the range (e.g., A2:A1000). Go to Format → Conditional formatting. Under Format cells if, choose Text contains.
Excel Insider
excelinsider.com › home › our blog › google sheets functions › return value in another cell if cell contains text in google sheets
Return Value in Another Cell If Cell Contains Text in Google Sheets - Excel Insider
June 27, 2025 - For example, if a status column ... have a direct “IF CONTAINS” function, but you can achieve this using a combination of IF, SEARCH, or REGEXMATCH....
Chartio
chartio.com › resources › tutorials › how-to-check-if-a-cell-contains-a-substring-in-excel-or-google-docs
How to Check if a Cell Contains a Substring in Excel or Google Docs
April 3, 2016 - Learn how to check if a cell contains a substring in Excel or Google Docs with the trusty SEARCH function and a simple example.
Top answer 1 of 2
1
Concatenated values
=join(", ",query({if(or(REGEXMATCH( upper(
10),"PIZZA"), REGEXMATCH( upper(
10),"HOTDOG")),"FOOD",);if(or(REGEXMATCH(upper(
10),"APPLE"),REGEXMATCH(upper(
10),"BANANA")),"FRUIT",);if(or(REGEXMATCH(upper(
10),"COFFEE"),REGEXMATCH(upper(
10),"COKE")),"DRINK")}, "select * where Col1 is not null"))
List Values
=query({if(or(REGEXMATCH( upper(
10),"PIZZA"), REGEXMATCH( upper(
10),"HOTDOG")),"FOOD",);if(or(REGEXMATCH(upper(
10),"APPLE"),REGEXMATCH(upper(
10),"BANANA")),"FRUIT",);if(or(REGEXMATCH(upper(
10),"COFFEE"),REGEXMATCH(upper(
10),"COKE")),"DRINK")}, "select * where Col1 is not null")
2 of 2
0
try:
=TEXTJOIN(", ", 1, INDEX(IFNA(VLOOKUP(SPLIT(B10, ", "), SPLIT({
{"Pizza"; "Hotdog"}&"×Food";
{"Apple"; "Banana"}&"×Fruit";
{"Coffee"; "Coke"}&"×Drink"}, "×"), 2, 0))))
MrExcel
mrexcel.com › forums › question forums › general discussion & other applications
Formula If Cell Contains Text - Google Sheets | MrExcel Message Board
May 10, 2024 - If that doesn't work for you, you might have to do some VBA in the Change events, and that's the kind of thing that will slow down the spreadsheet because it will perform those VBA instructions for any change you make to the sheet, every single time. Click to expand... Google Sheets does NOT have VBA.
Arab Psychology
scales.arabpsychology.com › home › how to use if statements with text in google sheets
How To Use IF Statements With Text In Google Sheets
February 22, 2026 - You can leverage a variety of advanced formulas to execute an IF function specifically tailored for text values within Google Sheets. Depending on whether you require an exact match or a partial match, the approach will vary significantly in complexity and utility. The most straightforward application of the IF function is determining if a cell contains a specific, exact string of text.
USCIS
uscis.gov › i-9
Employment Eligibility Verification | USCIS
June 3, 2026 - Page 2 contains the Lists of Acceptable Documents that employers must provide to employees, either as a hard copy or as a hyperlink to this form.
3Pie Analytics
3pieanalytics.com › excel-and-google-sheets-formulas-and-example › SUMIF-cells-if-contains-part-of-a-text-string-in-excel-or-google-sheets
SUMIF cells if contains part of a text string in Excel and Google Sheets
💡 In this example, it’s used to find all cells that include the text "3Pie". This search is not case-sensitive, so "3Pie" is considered the same as "3PIE" or "3pie" Other widely used Excel and Google Sheets formulas explained
PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › explainers › productivity › office suites
I'll Make You a Spreadsheet Pro. Try My 50 Favorite Excel Tricks | PCMag
April 21, 2026 - Make sure to specify that you need the AI-created formula to work in Excel, or if you need it to work in both Excel and Google Sheets, if that's important. Be explicit and clear—reference your existing data so the AI knows, for example, that people's gross pay rate is in column F, while their net pay is column G—that kind of thing.
Assurances
sheet.assurances.gov.gh › google-sheet-if-contains.html
Google Sheet If Contains
December 1, 2023 - Google Sheet If Contains. Web check if cell contains specific text in google sheets using if+search step 1: Identify the string and where to search .
App Store
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Google Docs App - App Store
2 weeks ago - Download Google Docs by Google on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more apps like Google Docs.
Google Sheets
sheetsformarketers.com › home › blog › checking if a cell contains a substring in google sheets
Checking if a Cell Contains a Substring in Google Sheets - Sheets for Marketers
October 31, 2023 - Checking if a Cell Contains a Substring in Google Sheets ... For example, given a list of colors, you want to know which cells contain the word “Red” or “Blue”. Google Sheets comes with functions like FIND, SEARCH, and REGEXMATCH that can help find substrings in a given text.
Substack
ruben.substack.com › how to ai › claude.
Claude. - by Ruben Hassid - How to AI
March 17, 2026 - I know you have. And ChatGPT flattened everything into text. Formulas disappeared. Structure gone. It gave you advice about cells that didn’t exist. Claude in Excel is different. It lives inside your spreadsheet. It reads every tab. It knows what D14 actually contains.