totn Excel Functions

MS Excel: How to use the INFO Function (WS)

This Excel tutorial explains how to use the Excel INFO function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Microsoft Excel INFO function returns information about the operating environment.

The INFO function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as an Information Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) in Excel. As a worksheet function, the INFO function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

Syntax

The syntax for the INFO function in Microsoft Excel is:

INFO( type )

Parameters or Arguments

type

The type of information that you wish to retrieve about the operating environment. type can be one of the following values:

Value Explanation
directory Path of the current directory.
numfile Number of active worksheets.
origin The cell that is in the top, left-most cell visible in the current Excel spreadsheet.
osversion Operating system version.
recalc Returns the recalculation mode - either Automatic or Manual.
release Version of Excel that you are running.
system Name of the operating environment.

Returns

The INFO function returns information about the operating environment.

Applies To

  • Excel for Office 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2011 for Mac, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000

Type of Function

  • Worksheet function (WS)

Example (as Worksheet Function)

Let's look at some Excel INFO function examples and explore how to use the INFO function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Microsoft Excel

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following INFO examples would return:

=INFO("RECALC")
Result: "Automatic"

=INFO("NUMFILE")
Result: 3

=INFO("OSVERSION")
Result: "Windows (32-bit) NT 6.01"