What does the LEN function return?

The LEN function is designed to return the number of characters in a text string, encompassing all types of characters, including letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and spaces. This function is particularly useful when you need to determine the length of a text entry for formatting, data validation, or text manipulation tasks in Excel.

For example, if you have the text "Excel 2023" in a cell, using the LEN function on that cell would return 11, as it counts all the characters including the space. This ability to assess the character count is essential for various data management and analysis needs, making it a vital function within Excel's text functions.

Other options describe functions or outcomes that are not associated with LEN; hence understanding the specific purpose of the LEN function emphasizes its importance in manipulating text data effectively in spreadsheets.