Excel – Find and Replace

< 1 min read

The Find and Replace feature helps you quickly locate and update text, numbers, or formulas in your worksheet or workbook.

Access

  • Home → Editing → Find & Select → Find / Replace
  • Shortcuts:
    • Find: Ctrl + F
    • Replace: Ctrl + H
This image shows the 'find' button in the menu ribbon

Find

  1. Press Ctrl + F.
  2. Enter the text, number, or formula.
  3. Click:
    • Find Next – move through matches.
    • Find All – view all matches in a list.

Options:

  • Match case – exact capitalization.
  • Match entire cell contents – exact match only.
  • Within: Sheet or Workbook.
  • Look in: Formulas, Values, or Comments.

Replace

  1. Press Ctrl + H.
  2. Enter what to find and what to replace it with.
  3. Click:
    • Replace – change current match.
    • Replace All – change all matches.

Tip: Use Replace All carefully—it updates everything instantly.

This image shows the find and replace tab

Advanced Options

  • Click Options in the dialog to:
    • Search by rows or columns.
    • Include formatting.
    • Limit search scope.
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Updated on January 8, 2026