Select the cells that have numbers stored as text. Using this keyboard shortcut lets you copy the value of the cell, which is important for the next steps in this method. When you type this value into a cell Excel formats it as a number value. To use the Paste Special and Multiply method, follow the steps below: While the first two options work well for cells and single columns, this method works with text values from multiple columns. Related: 15 Fun Excel Project Ideas To Boost Your Creativity 3. Then, click and drag your mouse down until you highlight every cell you want to use for converting data from the previous column. Hover your mouse cursor over the bottom right corner of the cell with your VALUE function until it changes to a "+" symbol. For example, if you have data in cell C5 and convert it in column D then you can type the VALUE function in cell D5.Ĭlick and drag your cursor down. In the first cell next to the data you have, type "=VALUE(" and then fill the rest of the data out with the cell reference you want to use. For example, if your data is in column D, then you can insert a new column next to it, working in a blank column E. First, insert a new column to the right of the data you want to convert. "conversion_string" is a required element that tells Excel the value you want it to convert which can be a cell reference or a string.īelow are steps you can follow to use the VALUE function: "VALUE" is a required element that tells Excel what function you want it to perform. "=" is a required element that tells Excel to perform a function. Here's an explanation of each part of the function: The VALUE function has a set of rules known as syntax that determine how it behaves. You can use this method for data you've already stored in an Excel spreadsheet. You can use the VALUE function to convert either text to numbers or other numeric formats such as dates, currency or time into a plain number in the program. The list starts with a choice that says "General" and ends with a choice that says "Custom" with several choices in between.Īnother way you can use Excel to convert text to numbers is with the VALUE function. The "Text to Columns" button provides several value formats you can use for your data. The "Text to Columns" Excel wizard is good at splitting a column, but this method doesn't require the use of that tool, so you can just click "Apply" and follow the next step. Find the "Data" tab, select it, and then find the "Data Tools" group and click the "Text to Columns" button.Ĭhoose the "Apply" button. ![]() This button is in the top banner of the Excel program. This column can include cells with left-aligned numbers, text representations of numbers and Excel formulas.Ĭlick the "Text to Columns" button. Select the column or cells from a column you want to convert. Below are the steps you can use to make this conversion: You can also select one or multiple cells within the same column and then use this method. This method involves recognizing when Excel doesn't recognize the values in a column as numbers and then taking steps to alter the column. ![]() One way you can convert text to numbers in Excel is by using the text to columns button. Related: Basic Excel Formulas and How To Use Them How to convert text to numbers in Excel?īelow are three methods for converting text to numbers within the Excel program: 1. Finally, using Excel to convert text to numbers can help you present data to other professionals in a clear and concise way. Converting text to numbers can also help you understand conversion processes in Excel, increasing your skills with the program. Converting the text to actual numbers can help increase your Excel program's efficiency, saving you valuable time. Regardless of which format you store your numbers in, using them to make calculations can be difficult because Excel doesn't recognize them as a number, which can return errors in functions and other Excel processes. Examples of text representations of numbers include: ![]() Converting all text strings you use to represent numbers can help you avoid these challenges, and help you ensure your document looks clean and professional. Related: How To Include Excel Skills on Your Resume Why convert text to numbers in Excel?Įxcel can understand and interpret both text strings and numbers, but some challenges can arise when you represent numbers as text. ![]() In this article, we explain three methods in Excel for converting text to numbers, list reasons to do so and offer examples of converting text to numbers in Excel. Knowing the a few methods to complete this conversion can help you increase your Excel skills. One way they can reformat text is by converting it to numbers. Using Excel to perform calculations and change the format of stored data is something many technology, math and business professionals do.
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