Repeat a character in a cell

Let's say you want to create a fixed column of special characters to format a report or add periods to the end of a text column to provide a Tab leader similar to a table of contents. To repeat a character in a cell, use the REPT function.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

How to copy an example

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.

2. Select the example in the Help topic.

   Note: Do not select the row or column headers.

   

   Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.

4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, click the Show Formulas button.

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A B Formula Description (Result) =REPT(".",6) Repeat a period (.) 6 times (......) =REPT("-",4) Repeat a dash (-) 4 times (----)

Function details

REPT