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    TYPE

    Information

    Returns a number indicating the data type of a value.

    Translations
    EnglishTYPE
    FrenchTYPE
    SpanishTIPO
    GermanTYP
    ItalianTIPO
    PortugueseTIPO
    DutchTYPE
    PolishTYP
    RussianТИП
    TurkishTÜR
    CzechTYP
    HungarianTÍPUS
    SwedishVÄRDETYP
    DanishTYPE
    FinnishTYYPPI
    Syntax
    TYPE(value)

    Arguments

    • valueValue to check
    Examples
    =TYPE(1)
    1

    1 = Number

    =TYPE("Hello")
    2

    2 = Text

    =TYPE(TRUE)
    4

    4 = logical

    Tips & Best Practices
    • •1=Number, 2=Text, 4=logical, 16=Error, 64=Array
    • •Useful for debugging formulas
    • •Check data type before calculations
    Common Mistakes
    • •Expecting TYPE to return a readable label like 'number' or 'text' - it returns a numeric code instead (1 for number, 2 for text, 4 for logical, 16 for error, 64 for array), which needs to be interpreted
    • •Confusing TYPE with ISNUMBER, ISTEXT, or similar IS-functions - those return TRUE/FALSE for a specific type, while TYPE returns a numeric code covering all types at once
    • •Using TYPE on a cell containing a formula, expecting information about the formula itself rather than the type of its current calculated result - TYPE only looks at the resulting value, not the formula behind it
    Related Functions
    ISNUMBERChecks specifically whether a value is a number, returning TRUE/FALSE, rather than TYPE's numeric code covering multiple possible types.
    ISTEXTChecks specifically whether a value is text, a more direct check than interpreting TYPE's numeric code for the same purpose.
    CELLRetrieves broader information about a cell, like its formatting or address, rather than just the data type of its value like TYPE.
    Frequently Asked Questions

    What do TYPE's numeric codes mean?

    1 means number, 2 means text, 4 means logical (TRUE/FALSE), 16 means an error value, and 64 means an array.

    Should I use TYPE or ISNUMBER/ISTEXT?

    ISNUMBER, ISTEXT, and similar functions are more direct and readable when you're checking for one specific type. TYPE is more useful when you need to distinguish between several possible types in one formula.

    Does TYPE tell me anything about a cell's formula?

    No, it only reports the type of the currently calculated result, not anything about the formula that produced it.

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