_xlfn. in excel is a prefix that appears, when a function is not recognized by your Excel version. This is usually happens when you enter a formula with a function which has been introduced in the later or newer versions of Excel, but the file is opened in an older version that does not support that function. _xlfn. function is not recognized Excel version formula with a function newer versions To understand this easily, I’m going to use the function TEXTJOIN which is introduced in the 2019 version but in the Excel 2013 which causes _xlfn. in the current version. _xlfn. ![TextJoin Functions causes Excel XLFN in Excel 2013 version ](https://cdn.hackernoon.com/images/KRhE4Gz4QZeX1uc46YQTGSYAHND2-o7137l8.jpeg) Example of _xlfn. in Excel: If a formula contains the TEXTJOIN function in the formula and it will display the _xlfn. in the formula bar. =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, B4:B7) =TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, B4:B7) The above formula will be displayed normally in the newer version of the excel but in the older version the same formula will display _xlfn. with it. =_xlfn.TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, B4:B7) =_xlfn.TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, B4:B7) This means that Excel does not recognize TEXTJOIN in your version. TEXTJOIN Other Function That may show XLFN in Older Version of Excel: Function Name

Function Usage

Function Usage



TEXTJOIN

Merges text strings with a delimiter

Excel 2016



IFS

Formula to have multiple conditions without nested functions

Excel 2016



CONCAT

Function used to replace CONCATENATE function for merging texts

Excel 2016



XLOOKUP

A powerful alternative Function to VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH

Excel 2019 / 365



FILTER

Function to filter an array based on the given criteria

Excel 2019 / 365



UNIQUE

Function to give the unique values in the range of area

Excel 2019 / 365 Function Name

Function Usage

Function Usage



TEXTJOIN

Merges text strings with a delimiter

Excel 2016



IFS

Formula to have multiple conditions without nested functions

Excel 2016



CONCAT

Function used to replace CONCATENATE function for merging texts

Excel 2016



XLOOKUP

A powerful alternative Function to VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH

Excel 2019 / 365



FILTER

Function to filter an array based on the given criteria

Excel 2019 / 365



UNIQUE

Function to give the unique values in the range of area

Excel 2019 / 365 Function Name

Function Usage

Function Usage Function Name Function Name Function Usage Function Usage Function Usage Function Usage TEXTJOIN

Merges text strings with a delimiter

Excel 2016 TEXTJOIN TEXTJOIN Merges text strings with a delimiter Merges text strings with a delimiter Excel 2016 Excel 2016 IFS

Formula to have multiple conditions without nested functions

Excel 2016 IFS IFS Formula to have multiple conditions without nested functions Formula to have multiple conditions without nested functions Excel 2016 Excel 2016 CONCAT

Function used to replace CONCATENATE function for merging texts

Excel 2016 CONCAT CONCAT Function used to replace CONCATENATE function for merging texts Function used to replace CONCATENATE function for merging texts Excel 2016 Excel 2016 XLOOKUP

A powerful alternative Function to VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH

Excel 2019 / 365 XLOOKUP XLOOKUP A powerful alternative Function to VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH A powerful alternative Function to VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH Excel 2019 / 365 Excel 2019 / 365 FILTER

Function to filter an array based on the given criteria

Excel 2019 / 365 FILTER FILTER Function to filter an array based on the given criteria Function to filter an array based on the given criteria Excel 2019 / 365 Excel 2019 / 365 UNIQUE

Function to give the unique values in the range of area

Excel 2019 / 365 UNIQUE UNIQUE Function to give the unique values in the range of area Function to give the unique values in the range of area Excel 2019 / 365 Excel 2019 / 365 Fix for _xlfn. error while using TEXTJOIN Function: You need to upgrade you excel to the latest version. You can follow the instructions provided in the official documentation from Microsoft.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5
You can enable the compatibility mode in your older version of Excel. Check if the file is in Compatibility Mode (.xls format) and convert it to .xlsx to overcome this issue.
If the above two didn’t help you, then you need to do the text joining using manual formula. You need to upgrade you excel to the latest version. You can follow the instructions provided in the official documentation from Microsoft. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5 You can enable the compatibility mode in your older version of Excel. Check if the file is in Compatibility Mode (.xls format) and convert it to .xlsx to overcome this issue. .xls format .xlsx If the above two didn’t help you, then you need to do the text joining using manual formula. =B4 & ", " & B5 & ", " & B6 & ", " & B7 =B4 & ", " & B5 & ", " & B6 & ", " & B7 The above manual formula will joins all the text with “,” comma delimiter without any function to do it. That’s it.

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What is Excel XLFN? -> Excel24x7

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