INTRODUCTION
CHAR function comes under the TEXT category in Excel.
CHAR function returns the character specified by an ANSI CHARACTER CODE (ASCII CODE ) from 0 to 255.
ANSI, while the development of computing system defined the characters such as a to z, A TO Z, !,@ and so many other symbols with the ANSI CODE ranging from 0 to 255.
This function is specifically used if we need to convert the character set from one system to other or we can use if we need to use any character.
PURPOSE OF CHAR IN EXCEL
CHAR FUNCTION returns the character specified by a number.(ANSI/ASCII CODE)(0-255)
PREREQUISITES TO LEARN CHAR
THERE ARE A FEW PREREQUISITES WHICH WILL ENABLE YOU TO UNDERSTAND THIS FUNCTION IN A BETTER WAY.
- Basic understanding of how to use a formula or function.
- Basic understanding of rows and columns in Excel.
- Some information about the financial terms is an advantage for the use of such formulas.
- Of course, Excel software.
Helpful links for the prerequisites mentioned above
What Excel does? How to use formula in Excel?
SYNTAX: CHAR
The Syntax for the function is
=CHAR(NUMBER)
NUMBER is any number CORRESPONDING TO A CHARACTER.(0 TO 255)
EXAMPLES:CHAR FUNCTION IN EXCEL
DATA SAMPLE
Let us check the different codes from 1 to 255.
We have written all the numbers (Codes) in one column.
The next column will be used to use the Char function on the code and check what it returns.
STEPS TO USE CHAR
The data has been put from the numbers 1 to 255.The function has been used in the next column corresponding to the number. =Char(number). All the numbers from 1 to 255 has been used.Some character which are not supported in the current font are shown as a small square.All other are shown properly.
KNOWLEDGE BYTES
WHAT ARE ANSI/ASCII CHARACTERS
ANSI STANDS FOR American National Standards Institute.
When computing was being developed, different methods were used to define the characters.
As we all know that basic language of electronics is binary i.e. 0 and 1.
Different characters were attached to certain codes using the number system like ASCII which defined the character in a coding system from 0 to 127.
A SPECIAL NUMBER WAS ASSIGNED FOR EVERY CHARACTER WHICH WE CALL AS CODE .
So after this came the ANSI which included ASCII and extended it to 255 and added more character in the set.We just learnt the use of char function in excel. Kindly give your valuable suggestions.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHAR AND CODE FUNCTIONS
CODE AND CHAR BOTH FUNCTIONS are related to the ANSI character set.
CHAR FUNCTION gives the CHARACTER of the given CODE as the solution whereas
CODE FUNCTION gives the ANSI CODE of the given character as the result.
Both functions act opposite to each other.
