# TEXTBEFORE

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## Content

This function returns text that occurs before a given character or string.

## Syntax

=TEXTBEFORE(text,delimiter,[instance\_num], [match\_mode], [match\_end], [if\_not\_found])

## Arguments

The function has the following arguments:

| **Argument** | **Description** |
| -------- | ----------- |
| *text* | Refers to the text you are searching within. Wildcard characters are not allowed. If the text is an empty string, it returns an empty text. |
| *delimiter* | Refers to the text that marks the point before which you want to extract. |
| *instance\_num* | [Optional] Refers to the instance of the delimiter after which you want to extract the text. By default, instance\_num = 1. A negative number starts searching text from the end. |
| *match\_mode* | [Optional] Determines whether the text search is case-sensitive. The default is case-sensitive. You can enter one of the following: \* **0** Case sensitive. \* **1** Case insensitive |
| *match\_end* | [Optional] Treats the end of the text as a delimiter. By default, the text is an exact match. You can enter one of the following: \* **0** Don't match the delimiter against the end of the text \* **1** Match the delimiter against the end of the text |
| *if\_not\_found* | [Optional] Refers to the value returned if no match is found. By default, #N/A is returned. |

## Remarks

The TEXTBEFORE function matches immediately when searching using an empty delimiter value. It returns the entire text when searching from the front (if instance\_num is positive) and, empty text when searching from the end (if instance\_num is negative).

## Data Types

Returns string data.

## Examples

`=TEXTBEFORE("Little red Riding Hood's red hood","red") // result is "Little"`
`=TEXTBEFORE("Little red Riding Hood's red hood","red", 2) // result is "Little red Riding Hood's"`
`=TEXTBEFORE("Little red Riding Hood's red hood","Red") // result is #N/A`
`=TEXTBEFORE("Little red Riding Hood's red hood","Red", ,1) // result is "Little"`

## Version Available

This function is available in product version 16.0 or later. 

> !type=note
> **Note**: The TEXTBEFORE function is only available in Beta Insiders builds of Excel for Office 365 currently. Hence, without the Beta Insiders build you cannot import/export the XLSX using this function from/to Excel.