Excel Formulas to Check the Values If Cells Begin with Given Criteria!!
Tags: excelformula, excelformulas
Published: 2021-02-15 10:20:53

---
title: Excel Formulas to Check the Values If Cells Begin with Given Criteria!!
published: true
date: 2021-02-15 06:36:44 UTC
tags: ExcelFormula,Excelformulas
canonical_url: https://geekexcel.com/excel-formula-if-cells-begin-with-given-criteria/
---

In Excel, the **[IF function](https://geekexcel.com/use-if-function-in-microsoft-excel-365-simple-steps/)** is one of the most popular and useful functions. In this tutorial, we are going to learn the simple formula to test the values, If cells begin with given criteria. Get an official version of ** MS Excel**  from the following link: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-365/excel](https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-365/excel)

[![If cells begin with given value](https://eadn-wc04-371788.nxedge.io/cdn/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/If-cells-begin-with-given-value.png)](https://geekexcel.com/excel-formula-if-cells-begin-with-given-criteria/if-cells-begin-with-given-value/#main)<figcaption id="caption-attachment-21885">If cells begin with the given value</figcaption>

## General Formula:

- To test the values to see if they begin with one of several characters.

**=[SUM](https://geekexcel.com/sum-function/)(COUNTIF(A1,{“x\*”,”y\*”,”z\*”}))>0**

## Syntax Explanations:

- **SUM** – The SUM function will help to add values in the cells. Read more on the **[SUM function](https://geekexcel.com/sum-function/)**.
- **COUNTIF** – The **COUNTIF function** helps to count the cells that meet a single condition or criteria.
- **Comma symbol (,)** – It is a separator that helps to separate a list of values.
- **Parenthesis ()** – The main purpose of this symbol is to group the elements.

## Example:

Refer to the below example image.

- Here, we will enter the input values in **Column B**. Now we want to check the values that begin with **“X”, “Y”, and “Z”**.

![Input Ranges](https://eadn-wc04-371788.nxedge.io/cdn/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Input-Ranges-11.png)<figcaption id="caption-attachment-21886">Input Ranges</figcaption>

- Then, apply the above-given formula to the [**formula bar**](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-formula-bar-for-various-purpose-in-excel-365/) section.

![Enter the formula](https://eadn-wc04-371788.nxedge.io/cdn/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Enter-the-formula-13.png)<figcaption id="caption-attachment-21887">Enter the formula</figcaption>

- Finally, we will get the result in the selected cell.

![Result](https://eadn-wc04-371788.nxedge.io/cdn/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Result-15.png)<figcaption id="caption-attachment-21888">Result</figcaption>

## Conclusion:

Hope you understand how to **check the values that begin with the given criteria in Excel**. If you have any other **ideas** or **question,** do share with us here in the **comments** section below. Click here to know more about **[Geek Excel](https://geekexcel.com/) **and [**Excel Formulas**](https://geekexcel.com/excel-formula/) **!! **

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