#Convert text to number excel formula how to#
#Convert text to number excel formula manual#

Using this function, the result of the RIGHT function is converted from text to number. The VALUE function of Excel converts text that represents a number to a number. However, the RIGHT and LEN functions used in the formula are text functions. Using a formula, the number has been extracted successfully. In this example, we have data downloaded from a source and the values in column B are stored as text due to the dollar sign. That is the example we will look at here. For example, converting results from text functions into numbers. Using a formula is also great for combining with other functions. If the data is regularly changed, a formula will ensure that the values fed to a PivotTable, chart or other formulas continue to be numeric. It will not change the value in the cell containing text, but rather, create a clean version in another cell. With a formula, we can automate the solution. A user will need to perform the steps to convert the text to numbers.

#Convert text to number excel formula manual#

The previous methods are great, but they require manual intervention. I like this method of converting text to numbers. However, you may have to consider if your value contains delimiters such as spaces or commas. You probably didn’t change an option during the Text to Columns process, and we could have clicked Finish before step 3. Leave it as General (the date option is great when working with date values). In step 2 remove all delimiter checkboxes.ĥ.

Step 1 of the Text to Columns wizard regards splitting text between columns.

Text to columns is another great way to quickly convert text to numbers. Select Values and the Multiply operation.

Click Home > Paste list arrow and Paste Special.ĥ.

Select the range of values you need to convert to numbers.

When a text value is used in a calculation, the result is numeric. To do so, we need to use Paste Special to perform a simple calculation. It is no surprise that it can help us convert text to numbers too. Paste Special in Excel is a fabulous tool. Change text to numbers with Paste Special The green triangle has disappeared and the values are now right aligned.

Click the exclamation mark icon and click Convert to Number.

This triangle means that the value has failed one of Excel’s error check rules, and is used to identify other errors outside of just recognizing numbers stored as text. This tells Excel to store the number as text, and is very useful for entering ‘fake’ numbers such as phone numbers and ID numbers.Ī green triangle is shown in the top left corner of the cell if this option is available to you. This option is available when numbers are stored as text as a result of downloading the data from a website or some database, or maybe copied and pasted between programs.Īlso, it may be that someone accidentally typed an apostrophe before the number. It is quick and simple, but it is unfortunately not always available to you. The first technique we will look at to convert text to numbers is the ‘Convert to Number’ option provided in Excel. So, even though they all look like numbers, the ISNUMBER formula returns FALSE, making it easy to identify the problem values. I have converted some of the values to numbers. In this example, the following formula was entered into cell C2. You only need to provide the ISNUMBER function with the value to check. This function will return TRUE if the value is numeric and FALSE if it is not. To be completely sure, we can use an Excel function named ISNUMBER.

However, it will work 95% of the time and is a fast and easy way of checking. Once again, these calculations can be changed by users so it’s not a perfect check. And if any are text, only the count is performed. If the values are all numeric, you will probably see average, count and sum calculations. However, it is a great place to start and a good clue to look out for.Īnother way of checking is to select the range of values and look at the calculations down on the Status Bar. This is just a clue and not guaranteed, because users can change the alignment of cell values. So, if a value is left-aligned, it is probably text. However, there are some things to look out for, and ways to accurately check it.įirstly, Excel will always display text to the left of a cell and numeric values to the right of a cell. This causes much confusion for Excel users. It can appear as a number, yet be stored as text. It is not always clear that a number is stored incorrectly.

#Convert text to number excel formula how to#

How to check if a value is numeric or text Change text to numbers with Paste Special.How to check if a value is numeric or text.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to recognize numbers stored as text and multiple ways to convert text to numbers. You will not be able to perform Excel tasks such as mathematical calculations, create charts from the values, or group them into ranges while the numbers are stored as text. A common frustration in Excel is when numbers are stored as text.