How to Insert Character Between Text in Excel (5 Easy Methods)

The following dataset has the State and Number columns. Using this dataset, we will demonstrate how to insert characters between text in Excel.

Method 1 – Use the LEFT and MID Functions with the Ampersand Operator

In the Number column, we want to add a Hyphen(–) between the state abbreviation and numbers.

Copy the following formula in the result cell D5:

=LEFT(C5,2) & "-" & MID(C5,3,100)

Formula Breakdown

LEFT(C5,2) → the LEFT function returns the character or characters from the beginning position in a number or text string of a cell. The returned characters are based on the number we specify.
LEFT(C5,2) → becomes
- Output: NY
MID(C5,3,100) → the MID function returns characters from a text string. It begins from the position we specify and returns the number of characters that we specify.
MID(C5,3,100) → becomes
- Output: 019186
NY& “-” &019186 → the Ampersand operator connects NY with Hyphen (-) and 019186.
NY& “-” &019186 → becomes
- Output: NY-019186
- Explanation: a Hyphen (–) is added between the abbreviation NY and the numbers 019186 in cell D5.

Press Enter. You can see the result in cell D5.
Drag down the formula with the Fill Handle tool.

In the Result column, you can see the inserted character between text.

Read More: How to Add Characters in Excel

Method 2 – Applying the REPLACE Function to Insert a Character Between Text

We will add a number code (+889) between the state abbreviation and the numbers of the Number column.

Copy the following formula in cell D5.

=REPLACE(C5,3,0,"(+889)")

Formula Breakdown

REPLACE(C5,3,0,”(+889)”) → the REPLACE function replaces a portion in the text string with another number or text we specify.
REPLACE(C5,3,0,”(+889)”) → becomes
- Output: NY(+889)019186
- Explanation: here, (+889) is added between NY and the numbers 019186 in cell D5.

Press Enter.
Drag down the formula with the Fill Handle tool.

You can see the inserted character between text in all cells.

Method 3 – Using the LEFT, SEARCH, RIGHT, and LEN Functions

In the following dataset, you can see in the Number column that there is a Hash (#) sign between the state abbreviation and numbers. We will add a number code (+889) after the Hash (#) sign.

Insert the following formula in cell D5.

=LEFT(C5, SEARCH("#", C5)) &"(+889)"& RIGHT(C5, LEN(C5) - SEARCH("#", C5))

Formula Breakdown

SEARCH(“#”, C5) → the SEARCH function returns the number of characters at which a specific character or text string is first found, reading from left to right. Here, the SEARCH function finds out the position of the Hash (#) in cell C5.
- Output: 3
LEN(C5) → the LEN function returns the total number of characters in cell C5.
- Output: 9
RIGHT(C5, LEN(C5) – SEARCH(“#”, C5)) → the RIGHT function returns the character or characters from the end position in a number or text string of a cell. The returned characters are based on the number we specify.
RIGHT(C5, 9- 3) → becomes
- Output: 019186
SEARCH(“#”, C5)) &”(+889)”& RIGHT(C5, LEN(C5) – SEARCH(“#”, C5)) → the Ampersand “&” operator connects 3 with (+889) and 019186.
3 &”(+889)”& 019186 → becomes
- Output: 3(+889)019186
LEFT(C5, SEARCH(“#”, C5)) &”(+889)”& RIGHT(C5, LEN(C5) – SEARCH(“#”, C5)) → the LEFT function returns the character or characters from the beginning position in a number or text string of a cell. The returned characters are based on the number we specify.
LEFT(C5,3(+889)019186) → As a result, it becomes
- Output: NY#(+889)019186
- Explanation: here, (+889) is added between NY# and the numbers 019186 in cell D5.

Press Enter.
Drag down the formula with the Fill Handle tool.

This completes the column.

Method 4 – Applying Combined Functions to Insert a Character Between Text

In the following dataset, you can see in the Number column that there is a space (” “) between the state abbreviation and numbers. We will add a number code (+889) after the space (” “).

Copy the following formula in cell D5.

=CONCATENATE(LEFT(C5, SEARCH(" ", C5)), "(+889)", RIGHT(C5, LEN(C5) -SEARCH(" ", C5)))

Formula Breakdown

SEARCH(” “, C5) → the SEARCH function returns the number of characters at which a specific character or text string is first found, reading from left to right. Here, the SEARCH function finds out the position of the space(” “) in cell C5.
- Output: 3
LEN(C5) → LEN function returns the total number of characters in cell C5.
- Output: 9
RIGHT(C5, LEN(C5) -SEARCH(” “, C5)) → RIGHT function returns the character or characters from the end position in a number or text string of a cell. The returned characters are based on the number we specify.
RIGHT(C5, 9-3) → becomes
- Output: 019186
LEFT(C5, SEARCH(” “, C5))→ LEFT function returns the character or characters from the beginning position in a number or text string of a cell. The returned characters are based on the number we specify.
LEFT(C5, SEARCH(” “, C5)) → becomes
- Output: NY
CONCATENATE(LEFT(C5, SEARCH(” “, C5)), “(+889)”, RIGHT(C5, LEN(C5) -SEARCH(” “, C5))) → CONCATENATE function connects or joins the characters into one single text string.
CONCATENATE(NY , “(+889)”, 019186)) →Then, it becomes
- Output: NY (+889)019186
- Explanation: here, (+889) is added between NY and the numbers 019186 in cell D5.

Press Enter.
Drag down the formula with the Fill Handle tool.

You can see the inserted character between text in all result cells.

Method 5 – Using VBA to Insert a Character Between Text

Go to the Developer tab.
Select Visual Basic.

A VBA editor window will appear.
From the Insert tab, select Module.

Next, a VBA Module will appear.
Copy the following code in the Module.

Sub INSERT_CHARACTER_BETWEEN_CELLS()
Dim Cells As Range
Dim Cell_Range As Range
Set Cell_Range = Application.Selection
Set Cell_Range = Application.InputBox _
("Select Range of Cells to Insert Character", _
"Insert Character Between Cells", Cell_Range.Address, Type:=8)
For Each Cells In Cell_Range
Cells.Value = VBA.Left(Cells.Value, 2) & "(+889)" & _
VBA.Mid(Cells.Value, 3, VBA.Len(Cells.Value) - 1)
Next
End Sub

Code Breakdown

We declare INSERT_CHARACTER_BETWEN_CELLS as our Sub.
We take Cells and Cells_Range as variables for Range.
We use the Left, VBA.Mid, and VBA.Len functions for inserting (+889) between selected cells.
We use the For loop to continue the task unless it finds the last cell.

Close the VBA editor window.
Return to the worksheet.
Press Alt + F8 to bring out the Macro dialog box so that we can run the code.
At this point, a MACRO dialog box will appear. Make sure the Macro Name contains the Sub of your code.
Click on Run.

An Input Box of Insert Character Between Cells will appear.
In the Select Range of Cells to Insert Character box, select the cells C5:C9.
Click OK.