Ever need to extract just the bold portion of some cells automatically? You can use my getBoldText VBA custom function to do that. This function takes a cell and returns the bold portion if any. See these sample results:
Using Custom Functions in Excel
To extract the bold text from cells, we are going to use User Defined Function (UDF) feature of Excel.
This feature let’s us build custom functionality that is not part of Excel.
- Step 1: Go to Visual Basic Editor (Press ALT+F11 or click on Developer Ribbon > Visual Basic)
- Step 2: Right on your workbook in the left-hand panel and insert a new module (refer to below illustration).
Add the getBoldText() Code to your workbook
In the module, copy paste below code.
Function getBoldText(fromthis As Range) As String
Dim i As Integer, size As Integer
Dim output As String
size = fromthis.Characters.Count
If fromthis.Font.FontStyle Like "Bold*" Then
output = fromthis.Value
Else
For i = 1 To size
If fromthis.Characters(i, 1).Font.FontStyle Like "Bold*" Then
output = output & fromthis.Characters(i, 1).Caption
End If
Next i
End If
getBoldText = output
End Function
Save your workbook (as .XLSM file).
Now, you can use =getBoldText() function in your file to extract the bold values from any cell contents.
How to use this function?
Save your workbook (as .XLSM file).
Now, you can use =getBoldText() function in your file to extract the bold values from any cell contents.
The syntax is:
=getBoldText(cell_address)
See this quick demo to understand how to use the function.
How to install this function so it works in all files?
You can also install this function using your personal macros workbook.
Follow below process:
- Click on “Excel Add-ins” button in either Developer Ribbon or Options > Add-ins > Excel Add-ins > Go
- Enable “Personal” macro workbook. This is a macro file that let’s you store reusable macros & custom functions like getBoldText.
- Now go to Visual Basic Editor (ALT+F11) and locate the personal macro file. It would be named personal.xlam
- Expand the file and add a module if necessary.
- Copy paste the VBA code for getBoldText into this module.
- Save and restart Excel.
- Now, you should be able to use the getBoldText across any of your workbooks (on your computer).
Known issues and bugs
In my preliminary testing this function worked fine in Excel 365. I have not tested it in older versions of Excel like 2013 or 2010. If you notice any bugs or issues please report using the comments feature on this page.
More VBA Examples
Check out below VBA / Automation examples to simplify your work:
One Response to “Get all BOLD text out Excel Cells Automatically”
Hi Chandoo, i'm trying to use this function, but the result stays blanc. So i don't see the bold string. Not after following the video nor as i copied the function from above. 🙁
Since i am using the Dutch language version i changed 'Bold' into 'Vet' wich is the Dutch word for it, and now it works!!!..
Thanks for this function.
I will be waiting for a function where i can calculate with coloured cells 🙂