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Google Sheets UNICODE Function

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Reviewed by Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM Co-Founder & Course Director Dheeraj is the founder of ExcelMojo and leads the learning direction across Excel, analytics, financial modeling, valuation, and AI spreadsheet workflows. A former J.P. Morgan and CLSA equity... Financial Modeling Valuation Investment Banking View Full Bio
Updated Apr 23, 2026
Read Time 7 min

What Is Google Sheets UNICODE Function ?

UNICODE function in google sheets returns Unicode code value or the first character’s equivalent number in the text. The google sheets UNICODE function is categorized under TEXT functions.

For example, consider the below text string showing ‘Google Sheets Formula’ in cell A1.

Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function-Definition

Now, let us use google sheets UNICODE function to find the code or the value.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, the cell is B1.

Step 2: Now, let us insert the UNICODE formula, =UNICODE(A1)

Step 3: Finally, press Enter key.

Now, we can find the result as shown in the below image.

Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function-Definition-1

Likewise, we can find UNICODE value using UNICODE function in google sheets.

In this article, let us learn how to use UNICODE function in google sheets with detailed examples.

Download FREE Google Sheets UNICODE Function Template and Follow Along!

Use this Google Sheets UNICODE Function Template to follow along with the examples in this article.

Download Excel Template

Key Takeaways

  • UNICODE function in google sheets helps users find the Unicode value or the equivalent number to the given data.
  • The syntax of UNICODE function is =UNICODE(text) where text is the only mandatory argument.
  • The text argument denotes the value or cell to be tested using google sheets UNICODE function.
  • Users can use UNICODE function not only to text but also numeric values, symbols, emojis, decimal values and punctuation marks.
  • CHAR, CODE, LEN, LEFT, and RIGHT functions in google sheets are commonly used with UNICODE function in google sheets.

UNICODE() Google Sheets Formula

UNICODE function is an inbuilt function.

Formula

The syntax is =UNICODE(text) where text denotes the cell reference used to find the UNICODE value or code. Remember, text is the only mandatory argument.

How To Use Google Sheets UNICODE Function?

We can use google sheets UNICODE function with ease.

Now, let us learn how to use google sheets UNICODE function with an example.

Consider the below table showing lowercase and uppercase letters in cell references A1 and A2 respectively.

How-To-Use-Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, the cell is B1.

Step 2: Now, let us insert the UNICODE formula, =UNICODE(A1)

How-To-Use-Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function-Step-2

Step 3: Finally, press Enter key.

Now, we can find the result as shown in the below image.

How-To-Use-Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function-Step-3

Next, using AutoFill option, we can find the result in cell B2 as shown in the below image.

How-To-Use-Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function-Step-3-1

Likewise, we can find the code using UNICODE function.

Examples

Now, let us learn how to use UNICODE function with detailed examples in this section.

Example #1

Consider the below table showing text in column A. We need to find the result, i.e., the code in column B.

Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function-Example-1

Now, note that the text string in cell range A2:A4 is mixed. It is because, there are uppercase, sentence case and numeric values.

Let us learn how to use UNICODE function.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, the cell is B2.

Step 2: Now, let us insert the UNICODE formula, =UNICODE(A2)

Example-1-Step-2

Step 3: Next, press Enter key.

Now, we can find the result as shown in the below image.

Example-1-Step-3

Now, using AutoFill option, we can find the result in cells B3 and B4 as shown in the below image.

Example-1-Step-3-1

As we can see, we can find the code or value using UNICODE function.

Example #2

Consider the below table showing text in column A. Now, we need to find the result, i.e., the unicode in column B.

Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function-Example-2

Meanwhile, note that the text string in cell range A2:A8 is mixed. It is because, there are symbols, letters, and words.

Now, let us learn how to use UNICODE function.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, the cell is B2.

Step 2: Now, let us insert the UNICODE formula, =UNICODE(A2)

Example-2-Step-2

Step 3: Next, press Enter key.

Now, we can find the result as shown in the below image.

Example-2-Step-3

Now, using AutoFill option, we can find the result in cells B3 and B4 as shown in the below image.

Example-2-Step-3-1

As we can see, the result (code or number equivalent) differs with symbols (emojis), words, and numeric values.

Example-2-Step-3-2

Likewise, we can use UNICODE function.

Example #3

Consider the below table showing text in column A. We need to find the result such that the Roman numbers are removed in column C.

Google-Sheets-UNICODE-Function-Example-3

We can do this using UNICODE function along with other functions like IF, LEFT, and SUBSTITUTE functions.

The steps are:

Step 1: To begin with, we need to select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, the cell is B2.

Step 2: Now, let us insert the UNICODE formula, =UNICODE(A2)

Example-3-Step-2

Step 3: Next, press Enter key.

Now we can find the result as shown in the below image.

Now, using AutoFill option, we can find the result in cells B3 and B4 as shown in the below image.

Example-3-Step-3-1

Step 4: Now, let us first insert the IF function in cell C2.

Example-3-Step-4

Step 5: Next, we need to insert the UNICODE function as shown in the below image.

Example-3-Step-5

Step 6: Now, include the LEFT function and select cell A2 as the argument

Example-3-Step-6

Step 7: Now, close the parenthesis. Mark the Unicode value with greater than or equal to sign as shown in the below image.

Example-3-Step-7

Step 8: Now, similarly, enter the IF, UNICODE, LEFT functions with lesser than or equal to 8546 code value as shown in the below image.

Example-3-Step-8

Step 9: Now, using SUBSTITUTE function, we can remove the roman numbers. Insert the formula, SUBSTITUTE(A2,LEFT(A2),””)),A2.

So, the total formula is =IF(UNICODE(LEFT(A2))>=8544,IF(UNICODE(LEFT(A2))<=8546,SUBSTITUTE(A2,LEFT(A2),””)),A2)

Example-3-Step-9

Step 10: Finally, press Enter Key.

Now, we can see the result as shown in the below image.

Example-3-Step-10

Now, using AutoFill option, we can find the result in cells B3 and B4 as shown in the below image.

Example-3-Step-10-1

Likewise, we can find the desired result using UNICODE function.

Important Things To Note

  1. Google sheets UNICODE function, in simple words, finds the code.
  2. Google Sheets UNICODE function is an inbuilt function.
  3. Categorized under the TEXT functions, this function is similar to the UNICODE function in Excel.

Frequently Asked Question(FAQs)

1. Explain the use of UNICODE function with an example.

UNICODE function fetches the code available in google sheets.

For example, consider the below table showing a name as text string in cell A1 within punctuation marks. Now, let us learn how to find the code using UNICODE function.

Google Sheets UNICODE Function-FAQ-1
The steps are:
Step 1: To begin with, select the cell where we want to find the result. In this example, the cell is B1.
Step 2: Now, let us insert the UNICODE formula, =UNICODE(A1)
Step 3: Finally, press Enter key.
Now, we can find the result as shown in the below image.


Google Sheets UNICODE Function-FAQ-1-Step-3
Likewise, we can use UNICODE function.

2. What are the common mistake users make while using UNICODE function?

While using UNICODE function, users make the following common mistakes:

• Not using the parenthesis properly
• Including cell range instead of cell references as argument in the formula

3. What are the functions we can use along with UNICODE function?

Google sheets UNICODE function works well with other functions in google sheets such as CHAR, CODE, LEN, LEFT, and RIGHT.
We can use UNICODE google sheets function formula with IF and SUBSTITUTE functions in google sheets to fetch specific values in the text string without providing the actual code. Refer Example 3 to learn more about this kind.

Download FREE Google Sheets UNICODE Function Template and Follow Along!

Use this Google Sheets UNICODE Function Template to follow along with the examples in this article.

Download Excel Template