# How to add quotes around text in Excel

Use two double quotes for each quote mark you want: =""""&A2&"""". Or use CHAR(34), the quote character: =CHAR(34)&A2&CHAR(34).

**Excel:** `=""""&A2&""""` (Every current version)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B |
| --- | --- |
| Product | Quoted |
| Desk lamp |  |
| Office chair |  |
| Monitor arm |  |
| Standing desk |  |
| USB-C dock |  |

Formula in B2, filled to B6: `=""""&A2&""""`

Result: "Desk lamp"; "Office chair"; "Monitor arm"; "Standing desk"; "USB-C dock"

## How it works

Inside a formula, text goes between quotes, and a quote mark inside text is written as two quotes. So `""""` is a piece of text that contains one quote mark: the outer two open and close it, the middle two are the quote. CHAR(34) returns the same character and is easier to read.

## Other ways

- `=CHAR(34)&A2&CHAR(34)`: CHAR(34) is the double quote character. Easier to read than four quotes.
- `="'"&A2&"'"`: Single quotes need no escaping. ('Desk lamp' instead of "Desk lamp".)

## Common mistakes

- Three quotes in a row, like `"""&A2`, is a syntax error. Count them: four for a quote on its own.
- When you save as CSV, Excel doubles quote marks inside a value and wraps it in quotes again. Check the file in a text editor.

## Questions

**How do I put quotes in the middle of text?**

Double each one: `="Size ""XL"" only"` shows Size "XL" only.

**How do I remove quotes from text?**

Replace them with nothing: `=SUBSTITUTE(A2,"""","")`.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-30.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/add-quotes-around-text