How to Pull Numbers from Text in Excel

Welcome to this blog post where we will discuss the simple and straightforward steps to extract numbers from text in Excel. It happens to be a common issue for those working with a large amount of data in Excel. The process of extracting numbers from text can be time-consuming and frustrating if you have to do it manually. However, with the help of a few Excel functions, you can quickly and easily extract the numbers you need and save yourself a lot of time.

Understanding the problem

It often happens that data sets in Excel have both numbers and texts within them. But let’s say you need to separate the numbers and analyze them further. This can be time-consuming if you have a large number of cells with mixed content. However, there are a few approaches that can help you pull numbers from text in Excel quickly and efficiently.

Method 1: Using the Value Function

The VALUE function is a built-in function in Microsoft Excel that converts text that represents a number to a number. This method is useful when you have numeric values mixed with text values in a single column or range.

1. Select the cell (or range of cells) containing the text values mixed with numbers.
2. Click on the Formulas tab in the Ribbon.
3. Select the Text dropdown.
4. Click on the Value function.
5. Press Enter, and the function will convert the text in your cell into numbers.

Method 2: Using the LEFT and RIGHT Functions

You can also extract numbers from text in Excel by using the LEFT and RIGHT functions. These functions help isolate only the characters that you want to keep, such as the numbers within a text string.

1. Select the cell containing the text that you want to extract numbers from.
2. Type the following formula: =LEFT(cell,LEN(cell)-RIGHT(CELL,FIND(” “,cell)))&””
3. Press Enter, and the values will appear in the cell to the left of the formula.

Method 3: Using the Text to Columns Function

Another way to extract numbers from text in Excel is to use the Text to Columns function. This feature allows you to parse the text in a cell and separate the numbers into their columns in your worksheet.

1. Select the cell (or range of cells) that you want to extract numbers from.
2. Click on the Data tab in the Ribbon.
3. Select the Text to Columns option.
4. Select Delimited, click Next and then select Space as the delimiter.
5. Select the column where the numbers have been separated, and choose the Data format as Number.
6. Click Finish.

Final thoughts

We hope that this blog post has helped you understand the various methods of pulling numbers from text in Excel. By applying these methods, you can save time, avoid frustration, and increase your productivity. Remember, always choose the method that best suits your data set and your needs, and don’t forget to practice with real data sets to become more proficient in this skill!

Handling Errors

When you’re working with text and numbers in Excel, even small mistakes can cause errors. For example, if a cell contains text that cannot be converted to a number, you will see an error message like #VALUE! or #N/A. However, don’t worry, fixing these errors is easy.

If you encounter the #VALUE! error, it is usually because the text cannot be converted to a number. Double-check the cell to make sure that there are no spaces, symbols or other special characters, and that the numbers are formatted correctly with decimals and commas.

If you encounter the #N/A error, it usually indicates that there’s a problem with the formula or function that you’re using. Review your criteria and make sure there aren’t any mistakes. Also, make sure that your cell references are correct and that you’ve selected the correct data type.

Bonus Tip: Using Regular Expressions

Regular expressions are a powerful tool that can help you quickly extract numbers from text in Excel. Regular expressions are patterns that match strings of text. They can be used to identify, extract, or replace specific parts of a text string.

For example, if you only want to extract the numbers that are followed by a particular character, such as a dollar sign, you can use a regular expression to do so. Regular expressions require some knowledge of programming, but there are many resources available online if you’re interested in learning more.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been struggling with extracting numbers from text in Excel, hopefully, this blog post has given you some helpful tips. With these methods, you’ll save time and frustration, and be able to analyze your data more effectively. Remember to practice these skills, and don’t be afraid to experiment to find the best method for your data set. You’ll soon be an Excel wizard!

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions related to pulling numbers from text in Excel:

What if my data has varying lengths of numbers?

If your data has varying lengths of numbers within a text string, you can use the LEFT, RIGHT or MID functions to extract them. These functions help isolate only the characters that you want to keep, such as the numbers within a text string. You can choose the function according to the location of the number you want to extract.

Can I extract multiple numbers from a cell at once?

Yes, you can. You can use the Text to Columns feature in Excel to separate the text and numbers in a cell into multiple columns. You can then selectively choose the columns that contain the numbers you need or concatenate them back into a single cell if required.

What if I only want to keep certain types of numbers?

If you only want to keep certain kinds of numbers, such as positive values or numbers within a particular range, you can use the conditional function IF function or the filter function. The filter function allows you to display only the cells that meet the specified criteria, saving you time by avoiding the need to manually search through your data sets.

What if the text contains non-numeric characters?

If your text contains non-numeric characters or numerous special characters, you may want to use the Find and Replace feature to replace these characters with spaces or nothing. Then, follow one of the methods of extracting numbers from text in Excel, such as using the VALUE function or the Text to Columns feature.

What if I don’t want to alter the original cell content?

You don’t have to make alterations to the original cell contents in Excel. You can extract the numbers you need and paste them elsewhere in your spreadsheet without altering the original cells containing mixed text and numbers. This method allows you to perform calculations and analyze the data without changing the original data source.