The SUBSTITUTE function in Excel can be used to replace a specific character or text string with another character or text string. However, when it comes to replacing a double quote ("), there is a bit of a trick to it.
Here's how you can use the SUBSTITUTE function to replace a double quote:
- Start by typing the SUBSTITUTE function into a cell where you want the replacement text to appear. The basic syntax of the function is as follows:
Code:
=SUBSTITUTE(text, old_text, new_text, [instance_num])
- In the "text" argument, enter the cell reference or text string that contains the double quote you want to replace.
- In the "old_text" argument, enter two double quotes (""). This tells Excel to look for a double quote character.
- In the "new_text" argument, enter the text string you want to replace the double quote with.
- If you only want to replace a specific instance of the double quote (for example, the second occurrence), you can enter a number in the "instance_num" argument. Otherwise, leave this argument blank.
- Press Enter to complete the function.
Here's an example of how the function would look if you wanted to replace a double quote with the text "replace":
Code:
=SUBSTITUTE(A1, """", "replace")
Note that you need to use three double quotes in a row to represent a double quote within a text string in Excel. The first two quotes represent the actual double quote character, while the third quote tells Excel to treat the second quote as a literal character rather than the end of the text string.