In your Excel, maybe the data looks like a number, but it actually is a text value and will be ignored in any numerical calculations (such as sums). This post from MiniTool teaches you how to make Excel convert text to number.
Sometimes, numbers will be stored as text in Excel, which can result in incorrect calculations when you use these cells in Excel functions since these functions ignore cells with text values in them. In this case, you need to make Excel convert text to number.
This post provides 5 ways for you to convert text to number excel.
Way 1: Use Text to Columns
You can convert text to numbers in Excel by converting an entire column of values at once. You can use the Text to Column feature to do that. Follow the guide below:
Step 1: Select the column that you need to convert text to number. Then, go to the Data tab and click the Text to Columns option.
Step 2: In the next window, click the Finish option.
Way 2: Change the Cell Format
The second method for you to convert number to text in excel is changing the cell format. Here is how to do that:
Step 1: Select the column that you need to convert text to number.
Step 2: Then, go to the Home tab. Use the drop-down box at the top of the Number section. Choose the Number option from the list.
You can also right-click the cells and choose Format Cells. Select the Number tab and choose the Number option.
Way 3: Use the Warning Symbol
If you enter your data and see a warning symbol on the bottom left corner, you can use the warning symbol to make Excel convert text to number. When you recive the warning meesage, click the drop-down arrow next to the warning and choose Convert to Number.
Way 4: Use the Value Function
The Value function can also help you convert text to number. Here are the steps:
Choose the column that you need to convert. In the top cell, enter the following replacing the cell references with your own.
=VALUE(A2:A6)
Alternatively, you can enter a single cell reference to convert one cell. Then, copy the formula down to the remaining cells using the fill handle.
=VALUE(A2)
Way 5: Use Paste Values
If you need to move text cells that contain numbers into a new cell or column, you can use the Paste Special feature.
Step 1: Select the group of empty cells where you want to place your output of numeric data. Right-click it to select Format Cells.
Step 2: Then, make sure General is selected as the number format and select OK.
Step 3: Select the entire column of cells you want to convert from text to numbers. Right-click to select Copy.
Step 4: Select the first cell in the empty column you formatted. Right-click the cell and select Paste Values. You’ll see all of the text formatted numbers pasted in the General number format.
Final Words
How to convert number to text in Excel? This post provides 5 ways for you to do that. I hope that this post can be helpful to you.