Excel tip convert text to number

#excel #exceltips #exceltricks

[novoid]

Magical. I was in need of this. Thanks .

[Softwaretrain]

Thank you for your helpful video! Your method of multiplying by 1 is an easy and effective way to convert text to numbers in Excel. I'd like to add a few more techniques that can be useful for the same task.

Arithmetic Operations: Similar to your multiplication trick, performing an arithmetic operation that doesn't change the value of the number, like adding zero (+0) or putting double negatives (--A1) before the cell reference, also works to convert text to numbers.

Text to Columns: This is a great tool that splits the content of the cells based on a delimiter. If your cell doesn't contain any delimiters, the 'Text to Columns' wizard will convert the text to a number after you click 'Finish'. This is handy if you have a large range of cells that you want to convert at once.

Paste Special: First, copy a cell that contains the number 1. Then select the cells that contain the text you want to convert and go to 'Paste Special'. In the dialog box that appears, select 'Multiply'. This multiplies the text by 1 and, as with your method, converts it to a number.

Error Checking Feature: If Excel detects that a cell contains a number stored as text, it shows a small green triangle in the upper-left corner of the cell. Clicking on the triangle will present an option to 'Convert to Number'. This can be a fast and easy way to change the format if you have a small amount of data.

These are just additional solutions, but your way of multiplying by 1 is also quick and effective. Thanks again for sharing this tip!

[joshuaduggan]

I think I need this for formatting dates in my delinquency travel ability report

[felicity]

You could use clear format and then change to numbers

[ExcelwithJT]

Does this work with dates, too? Occasionally when I import from QuickBooks the dates don’t translate to dates in a pivot table.

[marksandsmith]

But did anybody notice that the text numbers are Justified right just like real numbers so boss had got a good excuse