How to Replace Text in Selected Cells in Excel (4 Simple Methods)

While working with Excel, you may feel the need to find particular text within a selected cell, or even feel the need to replace that text. Microsoft Excel offers cool features to do this task. In this article, we will see several methods for Excel Replace Text in Selected Cells. For your better understanding, we will use a sample dataset here.

How to Replace Text in Selected Cells in Excel: 4 Simple Methods

We see the use of the Find and Replace feature, Shortcut for this option, and the use of Wildcard characters in this blog post.

Method 1: Replace Text in Selected Cells Using Find and Replace

So, in our dataset, we want to find Jonny and will replace it with Johnson but not every text. We will find and replace them within our desired selected range of cells.

Steps:

• First, we will select the range of cells we want to perform find and replace then will go to Editing > Find or Replace.

• As a result, a dialogue box will pop up like the image below.

• Here, we will type Jonny in the Find what box and click Find All.

So, we can see, that 3 results are found.

• Now, if we want to replace type Johnson in the Replace with box and click Replace All. Just remember we have to again select the range to perform Replace with. Otherwise, it will replace all.

•  Now, a dialogue box will pop up, and click OK.

• Finally, all 3 findings will be replaced, as you can see in the image below, as the last text Jonny was not in the selected cells, it remained intact.

Read More: How to Replace Text with Blank Cell in Excel

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut to Replace Text from Selected Cells

If you are a keyboard master, then you will love this section. Excel offers various shortcuts to do the task, Find and Replace is also not an exception, there is a shortcut also for this feature.

Steps:

• First, select the cells we want to Find and Replace within.

• Then press CTRL+H and a Find and Replace dialogue box will appear.

• Now, we know what to do right? In case you can not recall the steps, please check Method 1. In the box, we will Type Jonny in Find what and type Johnson in Replace with box and finally click Replace All.

• Finally, our dataset will look like the following image.

• Jonny in cell B14 was not in our selected cell range, that is why it is not replaced.

Read More: Excel Formula to Replace Text with Number

Method 3: Replace Text by Wildcard Character

The wildcard is a special character that helps us to match texts in Excel. Excel has three characters as wildcards to use in formulas: Asterisk (*), Question mark (?), and Tilde(~).

Here, we will see the use of Asterisk (*) to find and replace text in selected cells.

Steps:

• At first, select the cell range, we want to perform find and replace.

• Then, press CTRL+H and open the Find and Replace dialogue box. In the Find what box type *Jon.

• If we use Asterisk (*) at the start and type a specific text, it will find all the text that ends with that text.
• If we want to find the text by the first few characters use the following technique.

• In case, we want to find text that contains some specific characters in the middle, the follow the technique below.

• After, finding the texts, type Johnson in the Replace with box and click Replace All.

• Our final result will be as follows.

Method 4: Replace Text in Selected Cells for Entire Workbook

Here, we will see, how to find and replace within the entire workbook.

Steps:

• First, open the workbook and press CTRL+H, which will open the Find and Replace dialogue box. From here, type Jonny and click Find All.

• You know, we have four texts as Jonny in sample data, so in 5 sheets it will count to 20.

• Finally, type Johnson in Replace with box and click Replace All.

That’s it, click on the sheets and we will find Jonny is Replaced with Johnson.

Read More: How to Replace Text after Specific Character in Excel

Practice Section

For your ease, we have attached a practice section in each sheet of the attached workbook below.

Practice Workbook

Conclusion

That’s all for the article. These are 4 different methods for Excel Replace Text in Selected Cells. Based on your preferences, you may choose the best alternative. Please leave them in the comments area if you have any questions or feedback.

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