If it is always 3 characters on the left that you are looking for then use
the LEFT function as per the following:-

=IF(LEFT(A1,3)<"LDN","LDN"&A1,A1)

Note: The ambersand (&) can be used in lieu of the concatenate function and
is easier.

Regards,

OssieMac

"Chiccada" wrote:

Hello,

Im wondering if its possible for formulae to contain wild cards.

e.g.

i have a list of invoice numbers, some have LDN at the start some dont. What
i would like to do is make an IF formula which will find the invoices that
dont have LDN at the start. i was hoping that
'=if(a1=LDN*,a1,concatenate("LDN",a1))' would work but needless to say it
doesnt.

What, if anything replaces that * so i can search for part entires in cells?

Many thanks,

Rikki