How to Use the Excel CODE Function

We can use the Excel CODE FUNCTION to return a numeric code for a given character. The CODE function generates a numeric code for the first character in a text string. The code is based on the character set used by our computer. The steps below will walk through the process.

Figure 1: How to Use the Excel CODE Function

Syntax

=CODE(TEXT)

Formula

=CODE(A4)

Setting up the Data

• We will set up the data by inputting the Characters in Column A
• Column B is where the formula will return the Numeric code for the characters in Column A

Figure 2: Setting up the Data

Excel CODE Function

• We will click on Cell B4
• We will insert the formula below into the cell
  =CODE(A4)
• We will press the enter key

Figure 3: Returned Numeric Code for the First Character (G) in Cell A4

• We will click on Cell B4 again
• We will double-click on the fill handle (the small plus sign at the bottom right of Cell B4) and drag down to copy the formula into the other cells

Figure 4: Returned Numeric Codes

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