WPS Sheets TEXTBEFORE helps extract text before a delimiter; this guide covers 3 core tasks, with 3 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 3 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 3 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index |
About This Feature
Overview
TEXTBEFORE is a text function in WPS Sheets that returns the content before a specified delimiter. It is useful for splitting names, IDs, paths, tags, and other text data.
Core tasks include:
- Finding and inserting TEXTBEFORE from the Insert Function dialog box.
- Typing the
=TEXTBEFORE(...)formula directly in a cell or in the formula bar. - Viewing syntax and parameter details in the function help area before entering the formula.
This function is useful for everyday data cleanup, batch text splitting, and learning spreadsheet formulas with less manual editing.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | A Windows device that can run WPS Office normally |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office so newer functions and help panels are available |
| Network | A network connection is not required for local formula entry, but it is needed for the download page or online help |
| Other | WPS Office must be installed, and you need to be able to open a WPS Sheets file |
Download & Installation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Post-install Check | Launch WPS Office → open Sheets → go to the Formulas tab and confirm that the Insert Function entry is available |
Source: WPS download page
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | In WPS Sheets, you can use TEXTBEFORE through Insert Function or by typing the formula directly to extract text before a delimiter. | Excel provides the TEXTBEFORE function and documents delimiter, instance, match mode, match end, and if-not-found arguments. | The official Google Docs page here focuses on Gemini writing, summarization, and question-answering features rather than a spreadsheet TEXTBEFORE workflow. | Notion formulas support calculations and text handling in database properties rather than spreadsheet cell formulas with a TEXTBEFORE function. | Adobe Acrobat focuses on exporting or extracting text from PDF files to TXT rather than spreadsheet text functions. |
| WPS Advantages | Advantage: WPS keeps the workflow close to spreadsheet formula entry, with both an Insert Function path and direct cell input. | Compared with WPS: the official page emphasizes full syntax and argument behavior for Excel's function. | Compared with WPS: this official page is centered on document writing and AI assistance, not spreadsheet formula entry. | Compared with WPS: Notion formulas are designed for database properties, not spreadsheet cells with the same function name. | Compared with WPS: Acrobat is better suited to PDF text export and conversion, not spreadsheet formula input. |
| Official Source | — | TEXTBEFORE function | Gemini in Google Docs | Intro to formulas | How to convert PDFs to TXT files |
Overall Conclusion: If your main task is splitting spreadsheet text by a delimiter, WPS Sheets and Microsoft Excel both provide a direct function-based approach. The official Google, Notion, and Adobe pages referenced here focus on document AI, database formulas, or PDF text export, so their use cases differ from spreadsheet formula entry.
Use Cases
| # | Scenario | Target Users | Core Pain Point | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Split names or IDs | Administrative staff, sales teams, and operations staff | A single column contains fixed delimiters, so manual splitting takes time | Use TEXTBEFORE to return the content before the delimiter |
| 2 | Clean imported data | Data processing staff | Exported text from external systems is inconsistent | Use the delimiter to extract the first part quickly |
| 3 | Learn text functions | Spreadsheet beginners | The function entry point and parameters are unclear | Use Insert Function and the help details to learn the formula |
| 4 | Process tag fields in batches | Content managers or product listing managers | A tag field contains multiple text segments and only the first part is needed | Enter TEXTBEFORE in the target column and fill down |
| 5 | Standardize spreadsheet entry | Team collaboration users | Text formats vary when multiple people edit the same sheet | Use one formula pattern to extract a standard field |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Feature | Free User | WPS Member |
|---|---|---|
| Basic formula entry in WPS Sheets | ✅ | ✅ |
| Basic PDF features | ✅ Partially available | ✅ More tools available |
| Cloud storage | 1 GB | 20 GB |
| Template resources | Basic templates | More templates and advanced resources |
| AI tools | Some features are limited | More AI features are available as described on the page |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Use Case | Recommended Plan | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday spreadsheet entry and basic formula use | Free | Basic TEXTBEFORE entry and use do not require membership |
| More PDF tools, cloud storage, or AI tools | WPS Member | Suitable for users who also need broader office features |
How to Subscribe
- WPS membership center: Subscribe now
Source: WPS Office pricing page