Find and replace text
You can search for specific text and automatically replace it with new content. All visible text in tables, text boxes, shapes, and comments on all sheets is included in the search.
Numbers searches the result of a formula but doesn’t search within a formula.
Search for specific text
Click View in the toolbar, then choose Show Find & Replace.
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In the search field, enter the word or phrase you want to find.
Matches are highlighted as you enter text.
To find words that match the capitalization you specify, or to restrict search results to the whole words you entered, click , then choose Whole Words or Match Case (or both).
Click the arrow buttons to find the next or previous match.
Numbers matches only the value that’s displayed in a table cell, not the underlying value or formula. For example, if a recipe calls for “1/2 cup,” a search for “0.5” has no matches.
To see or clear recent searches, click the arrow next to the magnifying glass.
Replace found text
Click View in the toolbar, then choose Show Find & Replace.
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Click in the Find & Replace window, then choose Find & Replace.
You can also select other options, such as Whole Words and Match Case, to refine your search.
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Enter a word or phrase in the first field.
As you enter text, matches are highlighted. The first match is selected and highlighted in yellow.
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Enter the replacement word or phrase in the second field.
Important: If you leave the Replace field blank, all instances of the text are deleted when you replace the found text.
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Use the buttons at the bottom of the Find panel to review and change the text matches:
Replace All: Replaces all text matches with the replacement text.
Replace & Find: Replaces the selected match with the replacement text and moves to the next.
Replace: Replaces the selected match with the replacement text but doesn’t move to the next match.
Previous and Next arrows: Move to the previous or next match without making a change.
Replacing a table value updates both the displayed value and the underlying value. For example, if you replace “1/2” with “1/3,” the underlying value changes from “0.5” to “0.333333.”
You can’t replace matching text in cells that contain a formula.