# REPLACE

## Content

This function replaces part of a text string with a different text string.

## Syntax

`REPLACE(old_text, start_char, num_chars, new_text)`

## Arguments

This function has these arguments:

| Argument | Description |
| -------- | ----------- |
| *old\_text* | Original text in which you want to replace characters |
| *start\_char* | Starting position in the original text to begin the replacement |
| *num\_chars* | Number of characters in the original text that you want to replace with characters from the new text; if not an integer, the number is truncated |
| *new\_text* | New text that replaces characters in the original text |

## Remarks

Use this function to replace a specified number of characters in a specified location with other characters. Use the [SUBSTITUTE](/spreadjs/docs/v17/formulareference/FormulaFunctions/text-functions/SUBSTITUTE) function to replace specific text with other text.

## Data Types

Accepts string data for the *old\_text* argument, numeric data for the *start\_char* argument, numeric data for the *num\_chars* argument, and string data for the *new\_text* argument. Returns string data.

## Examples

This example replaces three characters with one character, starting with the sixth character in the provided text:
`REPLACE(""abcdefghijk"", 6, 3, ""%"")` gives the result abcde%ijk