Convert Text to Number in Google Sheets: Easy Steps

How to Convert Text to Number in Google Sheets

Converting text to numbers in Google Sheets is essential for performing mathematical operations and data analysis. There are several methods to achieve this, ranging from simple built-in functions to more advanced techniques for handling complex data types.

Automating these processes in Google Sheets enhances productivity. Check out Bardeen's Google Sheets automations to streamline your workflow.

Basic Conversion Methods

Three primary methods can be used for basic text to number conversions in Google Sheets. These include using the VALUE function, adjusting cell formatting, and employing a simple multiplication trick.

• Using the VALUE Function: The VALUE function converts a text string that represents a number into a numerical value. Its syntax is '=VALUE(text)', where 'text' is the cell address containing the string to be converted. This function is particularly useful for strings formatted as text but intended for use in numerical formulas.

• Format Menu and Number Formatting: You can also convert text to numbers via the Format menu. Select the cells to be converted, navigate to the Format menu on the toolbar, and choose Number to apply number formatting. This method ensures that numbers are right-aligned, indicating they're formatted as numbers, and allows for the application of currency formats or other custom number formats.
• Multiplication by One: Multiplying the text by one forces the conversion of text into a numeric value. Enter a formula like '=A1*1', and the resulting cell value becomes a number. This method can be applied to individual cells or a range of cells through an array formula, effectively changing text to numbers across multiple cells at once.

Advanced Techniques and Functions

For more complex scenarios, such as formatting inconsistencies or the inclusion of dates and times, advanced techniques using functions offer precision and can address these challenges.

• Regular Expressions with REGEXREPLACE: The REGEXREPLACE function can transform strings containing numbers mixed with text into numeric values. Use the formula '=VALUE(REGEXREPLACE(A1, "[^\d.]", ""))' to extract numbers from a string and convert them into a decimal value, removing non-numeric characters.
• Handling Dates and Times: DATEVALUE and TIMEVALUE functions convert text into recognizable date or time values in a numerical format that Google Sheets understands. For example, '=DATEVALUE("January 1, 2021")' converts the date in string format to a date serial number.
• Utilizing ARRAYFORMULA for Bulk Conversion: The ARRAYFORMULA function allows for the conversion of entire ranges at once. Placing '=ARRAYFORMULA(VALUE(A1:A10))' into a cell converts all text values in cells A1 through A10 to numbers. This is particularly useful for batch processing multiple cells.

Efficiently converting text to numbers in Google Sheets enhances data accuracy and streamlines your workflow, allowing for accurate data manipulation and analysis.

Looking to automate your Google Sheets tasks? Download Bardeen and explore our playbooks for seamless integration.

Discover more about automating Google Sheets in our detailed posts about Google Sheets addons, how to automate Google Sheets, and a collection of useful Google Sheets automations.

While converting text to numbers in Google Sheets can be done manually through various methods, automating these processes can significantly enhance productivity and accuracy. Bardeen offers powerful automation playbooks that interact seamlessly with Google Sheets, enabling you to streamline data manipulation tasks.

Consider automating your Google Sheets tasks with these Bardeen playbooks:

1. Save selected text to Google Sheets, when I right-click: This playbook allows you to capture and save any selected text directly to Google Sheets with a simple right-click. It's perfect for research, data collection, and compiling information on the fly.
2. Send a Slack message counting the rows in a Google Sheet: Ideal for teams, this playbook sends a Slack message with the count of rows within a Google Sheets document, facilitating project updates and team communication.
3. Copy Google News for a keyword and save results to Google Sheets: For those tracking news or collecting data related to specific keywords, this playbook automatically copies Google News results to a Google Sheet, making data analysis and tracking straightforward.

Automating with Bardeen not only saves time but also ensures that your data manipulation tasks in Google Sheets are carried out with precision. Start automating today by downloading the Bardeen app at Bardeen.ai/download