Convert Numbers to Text in Google Sheets: A Guide

Google Sheets Convert Number to Text

Converting numbers to text in Google Sheets can be essential for data formatting and presentation. The 'TO_TEXT' function is a straightforward way to achieve this conversion. Use the syntax:

'TO_TEXT(value)'

where 'value' is the number or cell reference you wish to convert. This function retains the original formatting of the number, such as currency symbols or decimal points. For example, to convert the number in cell A2 to text, you would use:

'TO_TEXT(A2)'

It's equivalent to prefixing a number with an apostrophe, but using the function ensures clarity and consistency across your data.

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Convert Number to Text Google Sheets

For more flexibility in how numbers are converted to text, especially when dealing with dates, times, currencies, or percentages, the 'TEXT' function is invaluable. It allows you to specify the exact format you want the text to be in. The syntax is:

'TEXT(value, format_text)'

For instance, to convert a date in cell H2 to a text string in the format "Sept 24, 1978", you would use:

'TEXT(H2, "mmm dd, yyyy")'

This function offers a wide range of formatting options, enabling precise control over the output.

How to Convert Text to Number in Google Sheets

Converting text to numbers is just as crucial for calculations and data analysis. The 'VALUE' function converts a text string that Google Sheets recognizes as a number, date, or time into a numeric value. The syntax is simple:

'VALUE(text)'

For example, to convert the text string "123" in cell A1 to a number, use:

'VALUE(A1)'

This function is particularly useful for processing data imported from other sources that may not initially be in the correct format for numerical operations.

Google Sheets Text to Number

For bulk conversion of text to numbers, the 'ARRAYFORMULA' combined with 'VALUE' can process entire ranges at once. This is useful when you have a column of text values that need to be used in calculations. Use the syntax:

'ARRAYFORMULA(VALUE(range))'

For example, to convert a range of text values in column A to numbers, you would place the following formula in another cell:

'ARRAYFORMULA(VALUE(A1:A10))'

This method efficiently converts multiple text values to numbers, streamlining your data preparation process.

Discover more about how to enhance your productivity with Google Sheets addons, Google Sheets addons, learn about Google Sheet automations at Google Sheet automations, and explore a collection of Google Sheets automations at Google Sheets integrations.

While manually converting numbers to text in Google Sheets using functions such as 'TO_TEXT' or 'TEXT' can be straightforward, automating this process can significantly enhance productivity, particularly for repetitive tasks or large datasets. Bardeen offers powerful automation capabilities that can simplify your work in Google Sheets. Here are some examples of how you can automate tasks related to number and text conversion in Google Sheets with Bardeen:

1. Save selected text to Google Sheets, when I right-click: This playbook allows you to effortlessly save any selected text to Google Sheets with a right-click. It's perfect for quickly capturing and organizing data without having to manually enter it.
2. Send a Slack message counting the rows in a Google Sheet: Keep your team updated by automatically sending a Slack message with the count of rows in a Google Sheet. This is ideal for tracking progress or inventory levels in real-time.
3. Copy Google News for a keyword and save results to Google Sheets: Automatically populate a Google Sheet with Google News results for a specific keyword. This is incredibly useful for market research or staying informed on specific topics.

Each of these playbooks can be easily integrated into your workflow to automate and streamline your Google Sheets tasks. Get started by downloading the Bardeen app at Bardeen.ai/download