by This tutorial shows how to convert number to text in Excel 2016, 2013 and 2010. See how to accomplish the task with the Excel TEXT function and use number to string to specify the formatting. Learn how to change number format to text with the Format Cells… and Text to Columns options.
If you use Excel spreadsheets to store long and not so long numbers, one day you may need to convert them to text. There may be different reasons to change digits stored as numbers to text. Below you'll find why you may need to make Excel see the entered digits as text, not as number.
- Search by part not by the entire number. For example, you may need to find all numbers that contain 50, like in 501, 1500, 1950, etc.)
- It may be necessary to match two cells using the VLOOKUP or MATCH function. However, if these cells are formatted differently, Excel will not see identical values as matching. For instance, A1 is formatted as text and B1 is number with format 0. The leading zero in B2 is a custom format. When matching these 2 cells Excel will ignore the leading 0 and will not show the two cells as identical. That's why their format should be unified.
The same issue can occur if the cells are formatted as ZIP code, SSN, telephone number, currency, etc.
Note. If you want to convert numbers to words like amount to text, it's a different task. Please check the article about spelling numbers named Two best ways to convert numbers to words in Excel.
In this article I'll show you how to convert numbers to text with the help of the Excel TEXT function. If you are not so formula-oriented, have a look at the part where I explain how to change digits to text format with the help of the standard Excel Format Cells window, by adding an apostrophe and employing the Text to Columns wizard.
convert-number-to-text-excel-TEXT-function
Convert number to text using the Excel TEXT function
The most powerful and flexible way to convert numbers to text is using the TEXT function. It turns a numeric value into text and allows to specify the way this value will be displayed. It's helpful when you need to show numbers in a more readable format, or if you want to join digits with text or symbols. The TEXT function converts a numeric value to formatted text, thus the result cannot be calculated.
If you are familiar with using formulas in Excel, it will not be a problem for you to employ the TEXT function.
- Add a helper column next to the column with the numbers to format. In my example, it's column D.
- Enter the formula
=TEXT(C2,"0")to the cell D2. In the formula, C2 is the address of the first cell with the numbers to convert. - Copy the formula across the column using the fill handle.
- You will see the alignment change to left in the helper column after applying the formula.
- Now you need to convert formulas to values in the helper column. Start with selecting the column.
- Use Ctrl + C to copy. Then press the Ctrl + Alt + V shortcut to display the Paste Special dialog box.
- On the Paste Special dialog, select the Values radio button in the Paste group.
You will see a tiny triangle appear in the top-left corner of each cell in your helper column, which means the entries are now text versions of the numbers in your main column.
Now you can either rename the helper column and delete the original one, or copy the results to your main and remove the temporary column.
Note. The second parameter in the Excel TEXT function shows how the number will be formatted before being converted. You may need to adjust this based on your numbers:
The result of
=TEXT(123.25,"0")will be 123.The result of
=TEXT(123.25,"0.0")will be 123.3.The result of
=TEXT(123.25,"0.00")will be 123.25.To keep the decimals only, use
=TEXT(A2,"General").Tip. Say you need to format a cash amount, but the format isn't available. For instance, you cannot display a number as British Pounds (£) as you use the built-in formatting in the English U.S. version of Excel. The TEXT function will help you convert this number to Pounds if you enter it like this:
=TEXT(A12,"£#,###,###.##"). Just type the format to use in quotes -> insert the £ symbol by holding down Alt and pressing 0163 on the numeric keypad -> type #,###.## after the £ symbol to get commas to separate groups, and to use a period for the decimal point. The result is text!
Use the Format Cells option to convert number to text in Excel
If you need to quickly change the number to string, do it with the Format Cells… option.
- Select the range with the numeric values you want to format as text.
- Right click on them and pick the Format Cells… option from the menu list.
Tip. You can display the Format Cells… window by pressing the Ctrl + 1 shortcut.
- On the Format Cells window select Text under the Number tab and click OK.
You'll see the alignment change to left, so the format will change to text. This option is good if you don't need to adjust the way your numbers will be formatted.
Add an apostrophe to change number to text format
If these are just 2 or 3 cells in Excel where you want to convert numbers to string, benefit from adding an apostrophe before the number. This will instantly change the number format to text.
Just double-click in a cell and enter the apostrophe before the numeric value.
You will see a small triangle added in the corner of this cell. This is not the best way to convert numbers to text in bulk, but it's the fastest one if you need to change just 2 or 3 cells.
Convert numbers to text in Excel with Text to Columns wizard
You may be surprised but the Excel Text to Columns option is quite good at converting numbers to text. Just follow the steps below to see how it works.
- Select the column where you want to convert numbers to string in Excel.
- Navigate to the Data tab in and click on the Text to Columns icon.
- Just click through steps 1 and 2. On the third step of the wizard, make sure you select the Text radio button.
- Press Finish to see your numbers immediately turn into text.
I hope the tips and tricks from this article will help you in your work with numeric values in Excel. Convert number to string using the Excel TEXT function to adjust the way your numbers will be displayed, or use Format Cells and Text to Columns for quick conversions in bulk. If these are just several cells, add an apostrophe. Feel free to leave your comments if you have anything to add or ask. Be happy and excel in Excel!
169 comments
I was looking for a way to convert numbers into letters. So 1,2,3,4,5*,6 becomes A,B,C,D,E*,F (* is not multiply but a symbol of any type)
A bunch of numbers in one text box would become letters in another.
Hello!
To replace a number with a letter, you can use the CHOOSE function.
=CHOOSE(A1,"A","B","C","D")
I hope it’ll be helpful.
1: BEFORE you paste anything, open up a new page or highlight the cells you are pasting into.
(I find it best to use a new page)
2: Select ALL cells in the paste area, if you don't know how big your data is just click in the little grey triangle left of Column A and Above cell 1. It should select all cells on the page.
3: Right click and click "FORMAT CELLS"
4: In the format Cells dialog select TEXT - then click OK
5: Paste your data into the region you formatted as TEXT. (Adjust column widths)
Desired result is No more exponents! Good riddance, Excel is really garbage without a better way
to do this.
How to convert 92300640317 in word
Hello!
Please have a look at this article — Convert numbers to words in Excel
I hope this will help, otherwise please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.
I want to convert number above 96 to 96<, what formula should I use.
I need to set a column for phone numbers. I want them as text, but in a specific format, viz: 0404 505 393, that is four digits, a space, three digits, a space, three digits, but all as text so they are the same easy to read format.
Hi
How Can change dd mmm format to dd-mm-yy.
Hello!
Please check out this article to learn how to change date format and create custom formatting.
I hope it’ll be helpful.
Hi
I am currently working with international NGO in Afghanistan, and I wanted to excel to convert number in to text in the other cell, despite I have tried several times and followed different directions in result I would not be able to successfully overcome?
Hi!
If the advice in the article above doesn't work for you, try this guide: Two best ways to convert numbers to words in Excel.
How to convert num counting to alphabetic counting?
1. Select numbers, you want to sort.
2. From Data ribbon select Text to columns.
3. Click twice Next button.
4. On Column data format select Text and click Finish.
5. Now you can sort Numbers as Text.
To avoid confusion, please take out the period at the end of each line. For example, this seems to say the you will get the value of "123." for the first line when it fact the result is "123"
The result of =TEXT(123.25,"0") will be 123.
The result of =TEXT(123.25,"0.0") will be 123.3.
The result of =TEXT(123.25,"0.00") will be 123.25.
To keep the decimals only, use =TEXT(A2,"General").
Done but starting zeros of cell disappear in Already fed data. I need them for consolidation. Guide
Sir have a nice day. I have data in excel when I convert it in text form
It removes the starting zeros from that cell. I want those zero appearing. Because I need them for further consolidation. Please guide
Hello!
I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me.
Please describe your problem in more detail.Include an example of the source data and the result you want to get.
Write an example, which zeros disappear in your data when you convert them to text?
It’ll help me understand your request better and find a solution for you. Thank you.
HOW TO FIND STRING OF NUMBERS IN RANGE FOR EXACT MATCH PLEASE?
12345 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
STRING FROM THE LEFT IN RANGE FROM THE RIGHT
TNAK YOU
Hello Mike!
I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me. For me to be able to help you better, please describe your task in more detail. Please specify what you were trying to find. Give an example of the source data and the expected result.
It’ll help me understand it better and find a solution for you. Thank you.
So many time I got pissed and wasted time trying many things because of that.
"Text to Columns" is very good thanks.
f in the chat, how to convert numbers to letters?
Excellent Post with multiple options. Thanks a lot, it resolved my problem.
I know this may sound crazy but is there a way to when I type in a number (for example, 6120) it changes to a word like necklace. I want to be able to type in a number of an inventory item and the next column it gives the name of that number. They will not always be in the same order, so it is possible? I have searched and searched the internet to see if it is even possible.
This is a very helpful article. The helper column + =TEXT formula + value paste is exactly what I've been looking for and this was an instant bookmark. Thanks!
Easiest way to convert 81039 dirhams.
please.
How to convert number to text as
50 :: Five zero
100 :: One Zero Zero
the 2nd option, changing the column to text *should* work, but idiot Excel has NEVER supported this, and continues to not support it. Example, put 1223123123 in the cell, format as text, and you will see the same reuslt: 1.22312E13 (Ok, I didn't count the digits, but EVERYONE LOVES Scientific notation, so much so that there is NOT freaking way to just select the column and say 'leave it the heck alone shit-for-brain's Microsoft' - been fighting this for decades now.
Your other options, making a column to convert the 'SKU' number that is 12 digits long to a Text might just work, I'll have to try that. I've in the past had to add a ' to the start of every dang line, and when there are 12,000 lines and all you freaking want to do is tell Excel to leave the dang thing Freaking ALONE, don't script leading 0's and are you kidding me with converting it to Scientific notation??
i need a excel code for spell number in digt format like.. 1 as one only, 10 as one zero, 0 as zero only..