This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the INFO function in Microsoft Excel.

Note: The INFO function is not available in Excel Web App.

Description

Returns information about the current operating environment.

Syntax

INFO(type_text)

The INFO function syntax has the following arguments:

  • Type_text    Required. Text that specifies what type of information you want returned.

Type_text

Returns

"directory"

Path of the current directory or folder specified in the Excel option, At startup, open all files in (Select File > Options > Advanced > General).

"numfile"

Number of worksheets in the open workbooks.

"origin"

Returns the absolute cell reference of the top and leftmost cell visible in the window, based on the current scrolling position, as text prepended with "$A:". This value is intended for for Lotus 1-2-3 release 3.x compatibility. The actual value returned depends on the current reference style setting. Using D9 as an example, the return value would be:

  • A1 reference style     "$A:$D$9".

  • R1C1 reference style    "$A:R9C4"

"osversion"

Current operating system version, as text.

"recalc"

Current recalculation mode; returns "Automatic" or "Manual".

"release"

Version of Microsoft Excel, as text.

"system"

Name of the operating environment: Macintosh = "mac" Windows = "pcdos"

Important: In previous versions of Microsoft Excel, the "memavail", "memused", and "totmem" type_text values, returned memory information. These type_text values are no longer supported and now return a #N/A error value.

Example

Copy the example formulas in the following table, and paste them in a new Excel worksheet. 

Formula

Description

Result

=INFO("numfile")

Number of worksheets in open workbooks

a number indicating how many sheets are in the currently open workbooks

=INFO("recalc")

Recalculation mode for the workbook.

"Automatic" or "Manual" depending on the current state of your calculation options.

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