Restricting Cell Entries to Text Only in Microsoft Excel 2010

In this article we will learn how to restrict cell entries to text only in Microsoft Excel 2010.

While working on reports, you may want to prevent the users from entering any value other than text. To prevent users from entering numbers in a cell, we will use Excel’s built in feature Data Validation.

Let us take an example:

In column A, we want to ensure that only text can be entered into the cells.To prevent the users from entering numbers in column A.

Select column A.
Click on Data ribbon
In Data Tools group, click on Data Validation

The Data Validation dialog box will appear

In Settings tab, select Custom in Validation criteria & enter the formula as =ISTEXT(A1) in Formula box

The above mentioned formula will prevent the users from entering digits as it will allow the user to enter only text in column A.
Click on OK
If we enter text then Excel will allow us while if we try to enter the numbers then it will display an error message

In above shown screenshot, cell A1 contains “https://www.exceltip.com/tips” which is a text, and Data Validation feature will allow to enter any text if we try to enter a number in cell A3 then it will not be allowed & an error message will pop-up.

Using Excel’s built in feature Data Validation, we can make customized reports for the end user to enter the information that we are looking for.

Vinayak Chavan
October 4, 2016 at 5:40 am

But how can i restrict special characters in this, I mean I need only alphabets and space then what can I do?

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Krystal T
August 16, 2016 at 12:31 am

Hi, I was wondering how to only allow text in cells, as this formula allows a combination of both letters and numbers.

Thank you

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atulesh kushwaha
January 24, 2016 at 8:49 pm

thanks lot

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JAYSING MANDE
January 9, 2016 at 10:24 am

marvelous formula

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JAYSING MANDE
January 9, 2016 at 10:24 am

marvelous
jaysing mande

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Ashish
August 6, 2015 at 10:57 am

Hi Basavaraj,

Alphanumeric characters are considered to be Text.
Please try to follow the steps shown in the tutorial & you will not face any issue.

Thanks & Regards,
Ashish

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- MBankaT
  July 21, 2016 at 4:01 am
  
  Ashish - you rudely admonish the Basavaraj to: "Please try to follow the steps shown in the tutorial & you will not face any issue."
  Well, you &$%#, if YOU 'tried to follow the steps shown' ....
  it SAYS - DIRECT QUOTE : (with my EMPHASIS)
  " ... Data Validation feature will allow to enter any text IF WE TRY TO ENTER A NUMBER IN CELL A3 THEN IT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED & an error message will pop-up.
  
  ASL ?
  
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Basavaraj
August 6, 2015 at 7:30 am

But it allows ALPHANUMERIC CHARACTERS. I NEED ONLY TEXT

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ARIF KAMAL
December 7, 2014 at 9:37 am

THANKS A LOT

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Brian Anderson
October 31, 2014 at 4:52 pm

this is a good trick but on excel 2011 on mac if you have abc3 it will NOT error, if you enter 3 it will...

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eric
October 31, 2014 at 5:37 am

good but if could explain how u got the formula it would be great
maybe even a video

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