Office Settings & Configuration

How to Search Only Entered Values (Not Formulas) in Excel

Elise Williams Sep 29, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to use the Find function (Ctrl+F) to search for specific data in a spreadsheet without returning results where the search term exists inside a formula.

How to Search Only Entered Values (Not Formulas) in Excel

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Searching for a specific string (like a word or number) in a spreadsheet that contains both plain text entries and complex formulas.
Observed behavior: By default, the Find tool may search within formulas, causing it to highlight cells where the search term is part of the underlying formula string rather than the visible output.

Before you start

Identify the specific column or range of cells you need to search through, as selecting a targeted area helps prevent unrelated results from appearing.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust the 'Look in' Setting in the Find Dialog

This is the most direct way to force Excel to look only at the displayed text and numbers in the cells, ignoring the hidden formulas.

Excel's default search behavior often includes looking into formulas. By modifying the search options and selecting a specific column beforehand, you can drastically improve the accuracy of your results.

Select your target range

Click the column header (for example, Column G) or highlight the specific range of cells you want to search.

Open Find and Replace

Press the Ctrl+F keyboard shortcut to launch the Find dialog box.

Expand the Options menu

Click the 'Options >>' button located in the bottom right corner of the Find dialog to reveal advanced settings.

Change the search scope

Locate the 'Look in' dropdown menu and change the selection from 'Formulas' to 'Values'.

Run the search

Type your search term into the 'Find what' field and click 'Find Next' or 'Find All'. Excel will now only search the displayed values.

Adjust the 'Look in' Setting in the Find Dialog

Session Memory: Excel will remember this setting for the duration of your current session. You won't need to change it back to 'Values' until you close and reopen the application.

Solution 2

Use Data Filtering to Find Exact Matches

Using Text Filters is a great alternative if you want to isolate and view only the rows containing your specific entered value.

Search and Manage Data Efficiently with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight Spreadsheet application that perfectly mirrors the functionality you rely on. Finding specific values while ignoring formulas is seamlessly integrated, allowing you to manage large datasets without hassle.

1. Open your workbook: Launch WPS Office and open your spreadsheet file.
2. Trigger the Find tool: Press Ctrl+F to open the Find and Replace dialog.
3. Configure search options: Click 'Options', then change the 'Look in' dropdown to 'Values'.
4. Locate your data: Enter your text and click 'Find Next' to instantly locate the visible cell entries.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formatsAdvanced Find and Replace options for precise data navigationLightweight application that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and LinuxFree to use with an intuitive, familiar user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Ctrl+F highlight cells that don't seem to contain my search word?

This happens when your 'Look in' setting is set to 'Formulas'. If your search term is part of a formula (for instance, a sheet name or function name) rather than the resulting visible text, Excel will still flag it as a match.

Can I set 'Values' as the permanent default for the Find tool?

Excel does not have a native setting to permanently change the default from Formulas to Values across all future sessions. However, it will remember your choice for the duration of your current active session.

How do I search for values across the entire workbook instead of just the current sheet?

In the Find and Replace dialog, click 'Options' to expand the advanced settings. Locate the 'Within' dropdown menu and change it from 'Sheet' to 'Workbook'. This will allow you to search through all tabs simultaneously.

Office App Problems