Wildcards in Find
You need every product code starting with XK, but Find wants the exact full code. Wildcards let Find match patterns: * for any characters, ? for one character, ~ to search for a literal asterisk. Three symbols turn Find from exact-match into pattern-match.
TL;DR / Quick Fix
Quick fix: in Find, use * to match any characters — XK* finds every code starting with XK. Use ? for exactly one character — 202?-Q1 matches any year. Use ~ before * or ? to find the literal symbol. Combine with Replace to batch-fix patterns across the sheet.
Follow these steps
- Open Find. Press Ctrl+F. The Find dialog accepts wildcards in the Find what box — no special mode needed.
- Use * for any run of characters. XK* matches XK-100, XK-200, anything starting XK. The asterisk means zero or more of anything.
- Use ? for single characters. 202?-Q1 matches 2024-Q1, 2025-Q1 — exactly one character per question mark.
- Escape with ~ for literals. To find an actual asterisk, search ~*. The tilde tells Excel you mean the symbol itself.
- Pair with Replace. Find XK* and replace with YK to batch-rename codes. Preview matches first — wildcards are powerful and unforgiving.
- Scope the search. Limit to the sheet or workbook, values or formulas. A workbook-wide wildcard replace without scoping is how accidents happen.
What NOT to do
- Do not Replace All without previewing. One wildcard can match far more than you expect — Find All first, then replace.
- Do not forget the ~ escape. Searching * alone matches everything; ~* matches the literal star.
- Do not use wildcards in exact-ID lookups. For precise IDs, exact match beats pattern — wildcards are for patterns.
- Do not assume ? matches nothing. It requires exactly one character — empty spots do not match.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between * and ??
* matches any length including zero; ? matches exactly one character. XK* is broad, XK?? is precise.
Can I use wildcards in formulas?
Yes — COUNTIF, SUMIF, VLOOKUP and friends accept * and ? in criteria. Same symbols, same rules.
Why is Find not matching my pattern?
Usually Look in is set to Formulas while you see Values, or vice versa. Match the scope to what you see.