Numbers to Text

 

In Excel, numbers are right-aligned and text is left-aligned. This example teaches you how to convert numbers to 'text strings that represent numbers'.

Numbers to Text in Excel

1. Select the range A1:A4 and change the number format to Text.

Text Format

2. Precede a number by an apostrophe and it will also be treated as text.

Apostrophe

3a. If you add text to a number and still want to format this number, use the TEXT function. Without using the TEXT function this would be the result.

Without Text Function

3b. With the TEXT function.

With Text Function

Note: #,## is used to add commas to large numbers.

3c. Here's another example. Apply a percentage format.

Percentage Format

Note: use 0 to display the nearest integer value. Use 0.0 for one decimal place. Use 0.00 for two decimal places, etc.

3d. And another example. Format a date.

Date Format

Note: use less/more m's, d's and y's to change the appearance of the date. Visit our page about the TEXT function for many more examples.