Text
VALUE
Definition
VALUE returns text that looks like a number, converted to a number.
Syntax
=VALUE(text)
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
text |
The numeric text, or the cell holding it, to convert. |
Worked example
A form stores quantities as text. Quantities are in A2:A4.
| A: Quantity |
|---|
| 19 |
| 4 |
| 8 |
Formula: =VALUE(A2)
Result: 19. The text 19 becomes the number 19, which SUM can add. Filled down, the formula gives 19, 4, and 8.
Practice
Cell A2 holds the text 42. In B2, write a formula that converts that text to a number.
- In B2, write a VALUE formula for A2.
- B2 should show A2 as a number.
Step 1 of 2
Enter =VALUE(A2) in B2.
A2 is the text 42, so VALUE gives 42.
Formulas here use English function names, such as SUM, and a period as the decimal separator, in every language.
Loading the sheet…
B2 uses VALUE.
B2 now shows 42.
Related functions
LEN still counts characters in the original text. ROUND can then limit digits of the number VALUE produced.
Common mistake
Passing text that is not a number, such as 12 kg: VALUE returns #VALUE! because of the extra letters.