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PHONETIC Function
Summary
The Excel PHONETIC function extracts furigana (phonetic) characters from Japanese text strings. It pulls out the ruby text annotations that appear above kanji characters to show their pronunciation.
Syntax
PHONETIC(reference)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| reference | Reference |
Yes | Text string, single cell, or range with furigana annotations |
Using the PHONETIC Function
PHONETIC is designed for Japanese Excel users working with kanji text that includes furigana pronunciation guides. It extracts just the phonetic ruby text, making it useful for language learning applications, dictionary creation, or pronunciation databases.
Common PHONETIC Examples
Extract Furigana from Cell
=PHONETIC(C4)Returns the furigana text above kanji in cell C4 (e.g., 'とうきょう' from '東京')
Range Reference
=PHONETIC(B7)Extracts phonetic guide from upper-left cell of referenced range
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#N/A error
Cause: Reference points to non-adjacent cell range
Solution: Use a single cell or contiguous range
No result returned
Cause: Cell lacks furigana annotations
Solution: Ensure text has phonetic ruby text applied
Notes
- Only available with Far East language regional settings
- Processes furigana/ruby text above kanji characters
- Non-contiguous ranges return #N/A error
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365
Not available in: Excel 2003 and earlier, Western language regional settings
Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+