Replace function

Returns a string, which is a substring of a string expression beginning at the start position (defaults to 1), in which a specified substring has been replaced with another substring a specified number of times.

Syntax

Replace(expression, find, replace, [ start, [ count, [ compare ]]])

The Replace function syntax has these named arguments:

Part Description
expression Required. String expression containing substring to replace.
find Required. Substring being searched for.
replace Required. Replacement substring.
start Optional. Start position for the substring of expression to be searched and returned. If omitted, 1 is assumed.
count Optional. Number of substring substitutions to perform. If omitted, the default value is -1, which means, make all possible substitutions.
compare Optional. Numeric value indicating the kind of comparison to use when evaluating substrings. See Settings section for values.

Settings

The compare argument can have the following values:

Constant Value Description
vbUseCompareOption -1 Performs a comparison by using the setting of the Option Compare statement.
vbBinaryCompare 0 Performs a binary comparison.
vbTextCompare 1 Performs a textual comparison.
vbDatabaseCompare 2 Microsoft Access only. Performs a comparison based on information in your database.

Return values

Replace returns the following values:

If Replace returns
expression is zero-length Zero-length string ("")
expression is Null An error.
find is zero-length Copy of expression.
replace is zero-length Copy of expression with all occurrences of find removed.
start > Len(expression) Zero-length string. String replacement begins at the position indicated by start.
count is 0 Copy of expression.

Remarks

The return value of the Replace function is a string, with substitutions made, that begins at the position specified by start and concludes at the end of the expression string. It's not a copy of the original string from start to finish.

See also

Support and feedback

Have questions or feedback about Office VBA or this documentation? Please see Office VBA support and feedback for guidance about the ways you can receive support and provide feedback.