How to Add an Asterisk After a Formula in Excel: Easy Guide

Excel is a powerful tool for analyzing and presenting data, but did you know that a simple symbol like an asterisk can make a significant impact on your spreadsheet? Adding an asterisk after a formula in Excel can help draw attention to important calculations or indicate that the value is estimated or provisional. This small addition can enhance the visual clarity and professionalism of your data presentation. In this article, we will explore different methods to add an asterisk after an Excel formula like a pro, ensuring your data stands out in a clear and meaningful way.

Using the CONCATENATE Function

One method to add an asterisk after a formula in Excel is to use the CONCATENATE function. This function allows you to join multiple text strings together. In this case, you would use the CONCATENATE function with the formula and the asterisk as separate text strings. However, be aware that using CONCATENATE may remove the currency formatting from the cell.

Here’s an example of how to use the CONCATENATE function to add an asterisk after a formula in Excel:

As shown in the table above, you can use the CONCATENATE function to add an asterisk to the result of a formula in Excel. Simply input the formula inside the CONCATENATE function, followed by the asterisk as a separate text string within the function. This will concatenate the formula and the asterisk together, producing the desired result.

Using the Ampersand Operator

Another method to add an asterisk after a formula in Excel is to use the ampersand (&) operator. This operator allows you to concatenate or join text strings together. In this case, you would use the ampersand operator to combine the formula and the asterisk as separate text strings. However, like the CONCATENATE function, using the ampersand operator may remove the currency formatting from the cell.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Ampersand Operator

1. Select the cell where you want to add the asterisk after the formula.
2. Start the formula with an equal sign (=) followed by the formula you want to use.
3. After the formula, type the ampersand operator (&).
4. Include double quotation marks (“”) followed by the asterisk (*) within the double quotation marks.
5. Press Enter to apply the formula and add the asterisk after the formula.

By following these steps, you can easily add an asterisk after a formula in Excel using the ampersand operator. However, keep in mind that this method may remove the currency formatting from the cell.

Using Custom Formatting

If you want to add an asterisk after a formula in Excel without affecting the formatting, custom formatting is the way to go. With custom formatting, you have the flexibility to modify the appearance of the cell without changing the underlying value. This means you can visually add an asterisk after the formula while preserving the original formatting.

To utilize custom formatting, follow these steps:

1. Select the cell or cells containing the formulas you want to add an asterisk to.
2. Right-click and choose “Format Cells” from the context menu.
3. In the Format Cells dialog box, go to the “Custom” category.
4. In the Type field, enter the format code that includes an asterisk at the end. For example, if you want the asterisk to appear after the formula in the cell, enter the following format code: 0"*".
5. Click “OK” to apply the custom formatting to the selected cells.

By adding an asterisk to the format code, you can achieve the desired result of visually representing the asterisk after the formula. The original formatting of the cell, such as currency formatting or number formatting, remains unchanged.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Aside from the methods discussed earlier, there are several other handy tips and tricks you can use to add an asterisk after a formula in Excel. These techniques will further enhance your spreadsheet skills and increase your productivity. Take a look at some of the Excel formulas and functions you can utilize:

1. Using the LEFT, MID, and RIGHT Functions

The LEFT, MID, and RIGHT functions are powerful tools for manipulating text strings in Excel. By combining these functions with the original formula, you can easily add an asterisk after the result. Here’s how it works:

2. Utilizing the VLOOKUP Function

If you have a table with values that correspond to your formulas, you can use the VLOOKUP function to retrieve those values and append an asterisk. Here’s how you can achieve this:

3. Enhancing with the TRIM Function

The TRIM function is useful for removing excess spaces from your formulas. By using TRIM together with your original formula, you can ensure a clean and concise output with an added asterisk. Follow this example:

Experimenting with these Excel formulas and functions will allow you to customize your outputs and meet your specific needs. Remember to practice and explore different combinations to find the optimal solution for adding an asterisk after your formulas.

With these additional tips and tricks, you can take your Excel skills to the next level. Enhance your spreadsheets by adding an asterisk after formulas, and make your data processing more efficient and visually appealing.

Vaishvi Desai

Vaishvi Desai is the founder of Excelsamurai and a passionate Excel enthusiast with years of experience in data analysis and spreadsheet management. With a mission to help others harness the power of Excel, Vaishvi shares her expertise through concise, easy-to-follow tutorials on shortcuts, formulas, Pivot Tables, and VBA.