Excel MID Formula: Strategic String Extraction

The MID formula returns a specific number of characters from a text string, starting at the position you specify. It is a critical tool for dissecting standardized identifiers such as International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs), product SKUs, or employee ID codes.

How it Works?

Precision is key when using MID. It is often combined with the SEARCH or FIND functions to create dynamic extraction points for variable-length strings.

Example

To extract a 5-digit sub-code starting at the 3rd character of an ID: =MID(A2, 3, 5)

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