If you work with numbers in Excel, you may find yourself needing to convert them to text at some point. For example, you may need to concatenate a number with some text, or you may need to use a number in a formula that only accepts text values. Whatever the reason, there's a keyboard shortcut that can help you quickly convert numbers to text in Excel.
To convert a number to text, select the cells you want to convert and press Ctrl+Shift+! (exclamation point). This shortcut works in all versions of Excel. If you're using a Mac, the shortcut is Command+Shift+1.
This shortcut will add the TEXT function around your selected cells. The TEXT function takes two arguments: the value you want to convert and the format you want to use. For example, if you want to convert the number 1234 to text using the General format, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(1234,"0")
If you want to convert the number 1234 to text using the Currency format, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(1234,"$#,##0.00")
You can use any format string that's supported by the TEXT function. For a full list of supported format strings, see the Microsoft Office website.
Once you've added the TEXT function to your cells, you can edit the format string to change the way the numbers are displayed. For example, if you want to display the number 1234 as 1,234, you would change the format string to "#,##0". If you want to display the number 1234 as $1,234.00, you would change the format string to "$#,##0.00".
You can also use the TEXT function to convert dates and times to text. For example, if you want to convert the date 12/31/2018 to text using the Short Date format, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(12/31/2018,"mm/dd/yyyy")
If you want to convert the date 12/31/2018 to text using the Long Date format, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(12/31/2018,"dddd, mmmm d, yyyy")
If you want to convert the time 12:00:00 AM to text using the Time format, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(12:00:00 AM,"h:mm:ss AM/PM")
If you want to convert the time 12:00:00 AM to text using the Long Time format, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(12:00:00 AM,"h:mm:ss AM/PM")
You can use any format string that's supported by the TEXT function. For a full list of supported format strings, see the Microsoft Office website.
Once you've added the TEXT function to your cells, you can edit the format string to change the way the dates and times are displayed. For example, if you want to display the date 12/31/2018 as December 31, 2018, you would change the format string to "mmmm d, yyyy". If you want to display the time 12:00:00 AM as 12:00 AM, you would change the format string to "h:mm AM/PM".
You can also use the TEXT function to convert other values to text. For example, if you want to convert the value TRUE to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(TRUE,"TRUE")
If you want to convert the value FALSE to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(FALSE,"FALSE")
You can use any format string that's supported by the TEXT function. For a full list of supported format strings, see the Microsoft Office website.
Once you've added the TEXT function to your cells, you can edit the format string to change the way the values are displayed. For example, if you want to display the value TRUE as Yes, you would change the format string to "Yes". If you want to display the value FALSE as No, you would change the format string to "No".
You can also use the TEXT function to convert error values to text. For example, if you want to convert the #NULL! error value to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(#NULL!,"#NULL!")
If you want to convert the #DIV/0! error value to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(#DIV/0!,"#DIV/0!")
If you want to convert the #VALUE! error value to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(#VALUE!,"#VALUE!")
If you want to convert the #REF! error value to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(#REF!,"#REF!")
If you want to convert the #NAME? error value to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(#NAME?,"#NAME?")
If you want to convert the #NUM! error value to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(#NUM!,"#NUM!")
If you want to convert the #N/A error value to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(#N/A,"#N/A")
You can use any format string that's supported by the TEXT function. For a full list of supported format strings, see the Microsoft Office website.
Once you've added the TEXT function to your cells, you can edit the format string to change the way the error values are displayed. For example, if you want to display the #NULL! error value as Null, you would change the format string to "Null". If you want to display the #DIV/0! error value as Divide by Zero, you would change the format string to "Divide by Zero".
You can also use the TEXT function to convert empty cells to text. For example, if you want to convert an empty cell to text, you would use the following formula:
=TEXT(A1,"")
You can use any format string that's supported by the TEXT function. For a full list of supported format strings, see the Microsoft Office website.
Once you've added the
Excel is a powerful tool that can help you manage and analyze data with ease. However, sometimes you may need to convert numbers to text in Excel. This can be a time-consuming task if you have a large dataset. Fortunately, there are several shortcuts you can use to convert numbers to text quickly and easily.
Method 1: Using the Text Function
The Text function is a built-in function in Excel that can be used to convert numbers to text. Here's how to use it:
Step 1:
Select the cell or range of cells that you want to convert to text.
Step 2:
Enter the following formula in the formula bar:
=TEXT(A1,"0")
Replace "A1" with the cell reference of the first cell in the range you selected.
Step 3:
Press Enter. The numbers in the selected cells will be converted to text.
Method 2: Using the Apostrophe
Another quick and easy way to convert numbers to text in Excel is to use the apostrophe. Here's how:
Step 1:
Select the cell or range of cells that you want to convert to text.
Step 2:
Enter an apostrophe (') before the first number in the cell. For example, if the cell contains the number 123, enter '123.
Step 3:
Press Enter. The number in the selected cell will be converted to text.
Method 3: Using the Format Cells Dialog Box
You can also use the Format Cells dialog box to convert numbers to text in Excel. Here's how:
Step 1:
Select the cell or range of cells that you want to convert to text.
Step 2:
Right-click on the selected cells and choose Format Cells from the context menu.
Step 3:
In the Format Cells dialog box, select the Text category.
Step 4:
Click OK. The numbers in the selected cells will be converted to text.
Conclusion
Converting numbers to text in Excel doesn't have to be a time-consuming task. By using these shortcuts, you can quickly and easily convert numbers to text in Excel. Whether you prefer to use the Text function, the apostrophe, or the Format Cells dialog box, these methods will help you save time and work more efficiently in Excel.
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