How to Convert to Number in Excel

When using Microsoft Excel, often the values in cells may appear as numbers but are actually stored as text. This can cause problems when performing calculations or sorting data. The good news is that converting these cells to numbers is a simple process in Excel. In this blog post, we will walk you through how to convert text to numbers in Excel. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, this guide will help you make the most of this useful feature in Excel.

Why Convert to Number?

When working with data in Excel, you may encounter cells that appear as numbers but are actually stored as text. This can cause issues when performing calculations and sorting data. Converting to numbers ensures your data is properly formatted and makes it easier to work with.

Step-by-Step Guide to Convert to Number in Excel

Step 1: Select the Cells You Want to Convert

Start by selecting the cells you want to convert to numbers.

Step 2: Open the Format Cells Dialogue Box

Right-click on the selected cells and choose “Format Cells” from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Choose the Number Category

In the Format Cells dialogue box, select the “Number” category.

Step 4: Choose the Number Format

Select the appropriate number format for your data. If your data does not have any decimal places, choose “Number.” If you have data with decimal places, choose “Number” and specify the number of decimal places. This will ensure your data is properly formatted as a number instead of text.

Step 5: Click “OK”

Click the “OK” button in the Format Cells dialogue box to apply the number format to your selected cells. Your data should now be properly formatted as numbers.

Using Text to Columns to Convert to Number

If you have a large dataset that needs to be converted to numbers, using the Text to Columns feature in Excel can be a quicker option. This feature allows you to split text data into separate columns based on a delimiter. By choosing “General” as the data type, Excel will automatically convert the text to numbers.

Step 1: Select the Data You Want to Convert

Start by selecting the data you want to convert to numbers.

Step 2: Open the Text to Columns Wizard

Click on the “Data” tab in the Excel ribbon and choose “Text to Columns.” This will open the Text to Columns wizard.

Step 3: Choose the Delimiter

Select the delimiter that separates your text. If your data is separated by a comma, choose “Comma.” If it is separated by another character, choose “Other” and specify the delimiter.

Step 4: Choose the Data Type

In the second step of the Text to Columns wizard, choose “General” as the data type. This will ensure Excel converts your text to numbers where appropriate.

Step 5: Click “Finish”

Click the “Finish” button to complete the Text to Columns wizard. Your data should now be properly formatted as numbers.

As you can see, converting text to numbers in Excel is a simple process. By following these steps, you can ensure your data is properly formatted and easier to work with.

Common Issues When Converting to Number in Excel

While converting to numbers in Excel is a straightforward process, there are a few issues you may encounter. Here are some common ones and how to solve them:

Issue 1: The Numbers Still Look Like Text

If you’ve followed the above steps and your cells still appear as text, there may be trailing spaces or other characters in your data. To fix this, use the “Trim” function to remove any extra spaces:

=TRIM(A2)

Issue 2: Numbers with Leading Zeros

When you convert cells with numbers that have leading zeros, Excel may remove the zeros. To keep the leading zeros, use the “Text to Columns” feature and select “Text” as the data type instead of “General.”

Issue 3: Numbers with Dates and Times

If your data has both numbers and dates, converting to number can result in odd decimal values. To keep the date and time values intact, separate the data into two columns using “Text to Columns.” Then, use Excel’s “Date” and “Time” functions to properly format the values.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Converting to Number in Excel

If you’re an Excel power user, you’ll find these keyboard shortcuts helpful for converting to numbers:

• To open the “Format Cells” dialog box: CTRL + 1
• To apply the “Number” format to cells: CTRL + SHIFT + 1
• To use the “Text to Columns” wizard: ALT + A, E

In Conclusion

Converting to number in Excel is an essential skill every user should master. Whether you have a small or large dataset, these steps and shortcuts will make the process quick and easy. Remember to watch out for common issues and use the appropriate functions to solve them. We hope this tutorial has been helpful in mastering this important aspect of data formatting in Excel!

FAQs

Below are some common questions users have when converting to number in Excel:

What is the difference between numbers and text in Excel?

In Excel, numbers are typically used for calculations, while text is used for labeling and other non-numeric data. Converting text to numbers in Excel ensures the data is properly formatted and can be used in calculations.

Can I convert a whole column to numbers in Excel?

Yes, you can select an entire column by clicking on the column header and then follow the steps mentioned in this post to convert the entire column to numbers.

What is the best way to convert a large dataset to numbers in Excel?

The best way to convert a large dataset in Excel is to use the “Text to Columns” feature, which is faster than converting cells individually. Splitting the data into appropriate columns and formatting the data helps you avoid common issues.

Why do my numbers show as #VALUE! after converting to number in Excel?

This error can occur when converting a text string to numbers in Excel for cells that contain non-numeric characters. To avoid this, ensure that your data only contains numbers.

What are some keyboard shortcuts that can help me convert to number in Excel faster?

The shortcuts discussed in this post can help you convert to numbers more efficiently. Other useful keyboard shortcuts are CTRL + SHIFT + $ to format cells as currency, and CTRL + SHIFT + % to format cells as percentages.