Excel MID Function

MID returns a specific number of characters from the middle of a text value.

Use it to extract embedded codes, fixed-position segments, product categories, or text between known positions inside an identifier.

Choose source text This is the string to read

Pick a start position The first character is position 1

Return the chosen length Excel extracts that many characters

MID syntax & arguments

Syntax

=MID(text, start_num, num_chars)

Required Optional

1

text
Required

The text value, cell reference, or formula result to extract characters from.
2

start_num
Required

The character position where extraction should begin. The first character in text is position 1.
3

num_chars
Required

How many characters to return starting at start_num.

Example

=MID(A2, 4, 3)

Return three characters from A2 starting at character 4.

MID caveats

Positions start at 1

start_num of 1 starts at the first character. A value below 1 returns a #VALUE! error.
The length must not be negative

num_chars of 0 returns an empty string, while a negative value returns a #VALUE! error.
Long lengths stop at the end

If num_chars reaches past the end of the text, MID returns the remaining characters instead of padding the result.
Dates and numbers may need formatting first

MID reads text characters, so use TEXT first when a number or date needs a specific display format before extraction.

Need a dynamic start? Combine MID with FIND or SEARCH when a delimiter decides where extraction should begin. Use LEFT or RIGHT when the needed text starts at an edge.