REPLACE() : replace part of a text by position

The REPLACE() function replaces part of a string based on a position and a length, and returns text. It is useful for modifying a specific segment of a text.

The output type format of the result is configured in the output field options of the formula editor: see Formula column.

Syntax

REPLACE(text, start_position, number_of_characters, new_text)

How to reference parameters in TimeTonic: $field_name for a field (link, linked-table column, number, selection, formula, text); "free text" in quotes; no quotes for numbers.

Parameters

# Parameter Description

1 text Text in which to perform the replacement.

2 start_position Starting position for the replacement (first character = 1).

3 number_of_characters Number of characters to replace.

4 new_text Replacement text inserted from start_position.

Example

Replace the first 4 characters

"TimeTonic" becomes "DemoTonic".

REPLACE("TimeTonic", 1, 4, "Demo")

If start_position exceeds the length of the string, no replacement is performed. If number_of_characters is zero, the text is inserted without removing anything.

Business use case: REPLACE() is particularly useful for cleaning up data entered by users or imported from external sources (API, CSV, forms).

Best practice: before any automation scenario or comparison, it is recommended to normalize your data (spaces, special characters, separators) using REPLACE(), SUBSTITUTE(), TRIM() or UPPER().

Go further

SUBSTITUTE

Replace all occurrences of one text with another.

Read more →

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Formula glossary

All available operators and functions, organized by category.