title: How do I get regex support in Excel via a function, or custom function?
body: <p>It appears that regex (as in regular expressions) is not supported in Excel, except via VBA. Is this so, and if it is, are there any &quot;open source&quot; custom VBA functions that support regex? In this case I'm looking to extract complex pattern within a string, and any implementation of a custom VBA function that expose support of regex within the function itself would be of use. If you know of semi-related function such as the <a href="http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/is-functions-HP005209147.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">IS</a> function, feel free to comment, though I'm really looking for a full regular expression implementation that is exposed via functions.</p>
  <p>Also, just a heads up that I'm using Office 2010 on Windows 7; added this info after an answer that appears to be a great suggestion turned out not to work on Office 2010.</p>