Numbers: Convert text to numeric value?

An alternate is to use the identity property of one of the arithmetic operations. This works for text values that Numbers is able to interet as numbers.

Each if the entries in column B is a text value. In column C, each has been converted to a number value, using the expression in column D (preceded by an = sign).

Note that each of these expressions will return 0 for empty cells in column B, and error triangles for rows where there is text which cannot be interpreted as a number in column B.

Regards,

Barry

Hi iPudder,

And thanks, Barry 🙂

My reply was the "quick and dirty" way.

The VALUE function returns a number value, even if the argument is formatted as text. This function is included for compatibility with tables imported from other spreadsheet apps.

VALUE(source-string)

• source-string: Any value.

Notes

• You’ll never need to use the VALUE function in a new table, because numbers in text are automatically converted for you.
• Only the formatted text is converted. For example, if you type the string $100.001 into a cell, the default format will display only two decimals ($100.00). If VALUE refers to this cell, it will return 100, the value of the formatted text, not 100.001.
• If the argument can’t be returned as a number value (does not contain a number), the function returns an error.

Barry's reply is the way to go. Apply a formula that will not change the text to another value, such as:

• Multiply by 1 (remains the same value but becomes a number value);
• Divide by 1 (remains the same value but becomes a number value);
• Add 0 (remains the same value but becomes a number value);
• Subtract 0 (remains the same value but becomes a number value).

Then Numbers will convert your text to a value.

I hope we haven't confused you . Please reply with questions.

Regards,

Ian.

Hi iPudder,

The VALUE function will do it.

Formula in C2

=VALUE(B2)

You can add the thousands separator (comma) by formatting C in Format Panel > Cell > Data Format

Regards,

Ian.