FORMULATEXT in WPS on Windows: Introduction

WPS FORMULATEXT is a formula-inspection function in WPS AirSheet on Windows; this guide covers 4 core tasks, with 4 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	4	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	4	Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items	0	Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index
Version support	Available in WPS AirSheet	Suitable for common spreadsheet editing scenarios

About This Feature

Overview

FORMULATEXT in WPS AirSheet is a spreadsheet function that returns the formula from a target cell as text, making it easier to inspect formula structure, review references, and troubleshoot calculation issues in spreadsheet work.

Core capabilities include:

Return the formula text from a referenced cell for quick inspection.
Enter the function directly in a cell or in the formula bar with syntax guidance during editing.
Work with cross-worksheet references when you need to review formulas in more complex sheets.
Reflect updated results as sheet data changes, which helps with ongoing formula checks.

Common use cases include formula review, template checking, training demos, and spreadsheet handoff in team collaboration.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A Windows device that can run WPS Office normally
App version	The latest version of WPS Office is recommended
Network	No mandatory internet connection is required for local formula entry and viewing; internet access is needed for download, installation, and account-related services
Other	You need to open a WPS AirSheet file and have permission to edit cells

Download & Installation

Before using FORMULATEXT, install WPS Office on your Windows device and confirm that you can open WPS AirSheet normally.

Item	Notes
Official Download	WPS Office Free Download
Installation method	Download the Windows installer and complete the setup with the installation wizard
Post-install Check	Launch WPS → open WPS AirSheet → select any cell and enter `=FORMULATEXT(`

Source: WPS Download Center

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	Supports `FORMULATEXT(reference)` in WPS AirSheet to display the formula from a referenced cell as text for formula review.	Excel provides `FORMULATEXT(reference)` and returns the formula shown in the formula bar for the referenced cell.	Google Sheets supports formulas, function suggestions, and a help box during editing, but the official help pages reviewed here do not present a matching FORMULATEXT help page.	Notion formulas are designed for database properties, built-ins, and functions rather than cell-by-cell spreadsheet formula inspection.	Adobe Acrobat focuses on calculations in PDF form fields and form automation rather than spreadsheet formula inspection.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: WPS keeps formula entry and formula-as-text review in the same spreadsheet workflow, which is useful for audits, training, and template checks.	Compared with WPS: Excel offers a directly comparable FORMULATEXT function for the same type of review task.	Compared with WPS: Google Sheets emphasizes online formula entry, suggestions, and help prompts instead of an officially documented matching formula-inspection function in the reviewed pages.	Compared with WPS: Notion is better suited to database property formulas than to inspecting spreadsheet cell formulas as text.	Compared with WPS: Adobe is better suited to PDF form calculations than to spreadsheet formula review.
Official Source	—	FORMULATEXT function	Add formulas & functions	Intro to formulas	Advanced form fields

Overall Conclusion
If your main goal is to inspect spreadsheet formulas as text in a Windows workflow, WPS FORMULATEXT fits common review tasks well. Microsoft Excel also provides a direct counterpart, while Google, Notion, and Adobe focus more on their own platform-specific formula or calculation scenarios.

Use Cases

#	Scenario	Target Users	Core Pain Point	Solution
1	Check template formulas	Spreadsheet template maintainers	It is hard to confirm the actual formula inside a cell quickly	Use FORMULATEXT to return the formula text for review
2	Demonstrate formula structure in training	Trainers and instructors	Learners may not see the formula structure clearly	Display the formula text in another cell for explanation
3	Review cross-sheet references	Finance staff and data analysts	Complex references are difficult to trace	Use FORMULATEXT on referenced cells to inspect the source formula
4	Troubleshoot incorrect calculation displays	Everyday office users	A result looks wrong but the cause is not obvious	Show the original formula text first, then inspect brackets, arguments, and references
5	Hand off collaborative spreadsheets	Team collaborators	The next owner may not understand the existing formula logic	Use FORMULATEXT to document key formulas during handoff

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Feature	Free User	WPS Member
FORMULATEXT function entry and use	✅ Available	✅ Available
Basic spreadsheet editing	✅ Available	✅ Available
Cloud storage	1 GB	20 GB
Template downloads	Limited	More template benefits
Advanced PDF tools and more advanced capabilities	Partially limited	More advanced capabilities available

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Use Case	Recommended Plan	Reason
Daily learning and basic formula review	Free	FORMULATEXT itself is available for regular spreadsheet checks
More cloud storage and broader office capabilities	WPS Premium	Suitable if you also need more templates, cloud storage, and advanced tools

WPS membership center: Subscribe now