MID Formula Generator (2026) — Extract Middle Characters | Free Excel & Sheets
Returns a specific number of characters from a text string, starting at the position you specify.
Common Errors & Fixes
#VALUE! error or wrong result
Causes:- start_num is less than 1.
- num_chars is negative.
- The text is shorter than the start position.
Fixes:- Ensure start_num is at least 1.
- Use a positive number for num_chars.
- Check the actual length of the text string first with LEN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if start_num is negative or zero?
MID returns a #VALUE! error if start_num is less than 1. Always start from position 1 or higher.
What if start_num is beyond the text length?
MID returns an empty string ("") if start_num exceeds the total length of the text.
How do I extract text between two characters?
Combine MID with FIND: =MID(A1, FIND("(", A1)+1, FIND(")", A1)-FIND("(", A1)-1) extracts text between parentheses.
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