How to Convert Text to Number in Google Sheets

Are you having trouble performing mathematical calculations with numbers in Google Sheets? This can happen for several reasons, but often, it’s because the data you’re using is actually in text format, even though it might look like numbers. To perform mathematical calculations on that data, you must first convert it to numbers.

In this article, we’ll show you how to check if the data entered is text or a number. We’ll also explain how to convert text to numbers in Google Sheets.

How to Check If a Value Is a Text or Number in Google Sheets

If you cannot perform mathematical operations like multiplication in Google Sheets, then you need to ensure those cells contain numbers. There are two ways to determine the value of text or numbers. One way is by checking the alignment of the value in the cell, while the other method requires using the ISNUMBER function.

Let’s first see how to do it by checking the alignment. This method is quite simple. You need to check the alignment of the value in the cell. If the value is aligned to the left, it’s a text. If aligned to the right, it’s a number.

This method has just one catch: the alignment settings in Google Sheets must be at their defaults. If you’ve changed those settings, this method won’t work. In that case, you should use the ISNUMBER function to confirm that the data inside the cell is text or a number.

To use this function, write the following formula and press Enter. Replace the Value with the cell’s address. For instance, if the cell is in Row 2 and Column A, the formula will be =ISNUMBER(A2).

=ISNUMBER(Value)

If you get TRUE as a result, it confirms that the value inside the cell is a number. However, if you get FALSE, the value inside the cell is text.

How to Convert Text to Number in Google Sheets

Through the Menu Bar

Once you’re sure that the value inside the cell is text, you can convert it to a number to perform mathematical operations. The quickest way to do this is by selecting the Number option in the menu bar.

1. Click the cell that you want to convert to a number.
2. Click the More formats (123) option in the menu bar and choose Number from the list that appears.
   
3. The text will be converted to a number, but you’ll see a decimal value added to the number. To remove it, select the cell, click More formats, and choose Automatic. This will remove the decimal value from the number.
   

Using the VALUE Function

You can also use the VALUE function to convert text to a number in Google Sheets. To use this function, navigate to the desired cell, type the following formula, and press Enter. Make sure to replace Value with the cell’s address that contains the data you want to convert to a number.

=VALUE(Value)

For example, if the cell is in Row 5 and Column A, the formula will be =VALUE(A5).

Using Operators

Another quick way to convert text to numbers in Google Sheets is through mathematical operators like multiplication and addition. Let’s start with the addition operator.

1. Select the cell where you want the text to appear as a number.
2. Enter the following formula, replacing Value with the text’s cell address. Then, press Enter.

   =Value+0

The text will be converted to a number in the selected cell. Similarly, you can use the multiplication operator. Here’s how:

1. Click the cell where you want the conversion to happen.
2. Type the following formula and press Enter. Replace Value with the address of the cell that contains the text.

   =Value*1

Quickly Convert Your Data in Google Sheets

That’s how you can convert a text string to a number in Google Sheets. Wasn’t it easy and quick? Now that you know how to convert data types, you might be interested in exploring other Google Sheets basics, like converting rows to columns.