Text
Turning digit text into a number
Definition
Turning a digit string into a number means giving VALUE that text.
Syntax
=VALUE(text)
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
text |
The cell that holds digits as text, such as B2. |
Worked example
A ticket sheet stores counts as text in B2:B4 so they can be pasted from a form.
| A: Desk | B: Count |
|---|---|
| North | 45 |
| East | 8 |
| West | 21 |
Formula: =VALUE(B2)
Result: 45. The text 45 becomes the number 45, which can be added.
Practice
Cell A2 holds the text 100. In B2, write a formula that turns that text into 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 100, so VALUE gives 100.
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 100.
The next lesson is Checking two labels letter for letter.
Related functions
VALUE is the function that turns that digit string into a number.
Common mistake
Quoting the cell address, as in =VALUE("B2"): VALUE then tries to read the letters B2 instead of the text in B2.