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Excel Formula to use Basic outline numbering in Excel!!

Have you ever tried to use basic outline numbering? Do you have any good methods for solving this task in Excel? In this tutorial, I introduce some formulas which can quickly help you to use basic outline numbering in Excel. Utilize the below-mentioned formulas!! Get an official version of ** MS Excel** from the following link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-365/excel

Generic Formula

  • If you want to use the basic outline numbering, you have to use the below formula.
=[COUNTA](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-excel-counta-function-in-office-365-with-examples/)($B$5:B5)&"."&[IF](https://geekexcel.com/use-if-function-in-microsoft-excel-365-simple-steps/)(B5<>"",1,[MID](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-mid-function-in-microsoft-excel-365/)(D4,[FIND](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-find-function-in-microsoft-excel-365/)(".",D4)+1,[LEN](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-len-function-in-microsoft-excel-365/)(D4))+1)

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Syntax Explanation

  • 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.
  • Plus operator (+) – This symbol is used to add the values.
  • COUNTA – The COUNTA function counts the number of cells that are non-empty and returns the output in numbers.
  • IF – The Excel IF function return one value for a TRUE result, and another for a FALSE result. It is a logical test combined with logical functions like AND, OR.
  • MID – The MID Function will extract digits from the given number as well. It extracts the number (starting from the left side) or characters from the given string.
  • FIND – The Excel FIND function is used to find out the one text string inside the other.
  • LEN – The LEN Function in Excel returns the length of a given text string as the number of characters.

Practical Examples

Use the following steps to use the basic outline numbering.

  • For instance, you have to create a sample data in Excel.

Sample data

  • To generate basic outline numbering, you need to use the following formula in formula bar.
=[COUNTA](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-excel-counta-function-in-office-365-with-examples/)($B$5:B5)&"."&[IF](https://geekexcel.com/use-if-function-in-microsoft-excel-365-simple-steps/)(B5<>"",1,[MID](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-mid-function-in-microsoft-excel-365/)(D4,[FIND](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-find-function-in-microsoft-excel-365/)(".",D4)+1,[LEN](https://geekexcel.com/how-to-use-len-function-in-microsoft-excel-365/)(D4))+1)

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Use the Formula

  • Then, you have to Hit the Enter key to get the result as shown below.

Result in cell D5

  • Now, you need to press Ctrl+D key to get the results in all other columns.

Output

Closure

Hope you like this tutorial on how to use basic outline numbering in Excel by using Excel Formulas. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this lesson, feel free to use the comment section below to let us know.

Thank you so much for visiting Geek Excel!! *If you want to learn more helpful formulas, check out Excel Formulas *!!

Further Reference:

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