Excel’s VALUE function is a vital tool for translating numerical representations in text into values that can be used in a spreadsheet. Its main objective is to expedite the conversion process, which is especially helpful when working with datasets that have numbers recorded as text.
The VALUE function simplifies data processing with its straightforward syntax. It converts text arguments into numerical values, enabling Excel to utilize them for calculations effectively. A direct text input wrapped in quotation marks or a reference to a cell holding the text string can be used as this argument.
The VALUE function’s ability to handle different text representations of integers in different formats is a major advantage. It guarantees flexibility in data processing by ignoring leading and trailing spaces in the text. Nevertheless, the function will return a #VALUE! error if the text contains non-numeric characters (apart from commas and periods used as decimal separators), indicating that the text cannot be converted to a number value.
Numerous data management operations, especially those involving data normalization and cleansing, use the VALUE function extensively. It is essential for maintaining data accuracy and consistency, particularly when working with data imported from outside sources like databases or text files. It allows for the smooth integration of data into Excel spreadsheets by translating text to numeric values.
Syntax & Arguments
The basic syntax of the VALUE Function is as follows:
=VALUE(text)
The only argument for this function is the text argument. The text argument represents the string to be converted to a number. There are two possible input formats: a reference to a cell with the text string or a direct text input encased in quotation marks (“).
Let’s review some usage notes before exploring various examples to illustrate the VALUE Function.
Usage Notes
These usage notes highlight the importance and versatility of the VALUE function in handling text data and facilitating accurate numeric data processing within Excel.
- Converting text representations of numbers into numeric values within Excel is the main function of the VALUE function. In datasets where numbers are kept as text, this is especially helpful.
- VALUE function’s handling of leading and trailing spaces in the text string being translated is possible. All other non-numeric characters (spaces, commas, and periods excluded) will cause it to return an error.
- Text representations of integers with commas or periods as the VALUE function can handle decimal separators. These characters are recognized automatically, and the text is appropriately converted to a number value.
- Text manipulation functions such as SUBSTITUTE, TRIM, LEFT, RIGHT, and MID can be combined with the VALUE function to allow users to preprocess text strings before conversion. As a result, handling text data can be done more freely.
- Error Handling: In the event that the text cannot be transformed into a numeric value (due to the presence of non-numeric characters apart from spaces, commas, or periods), the VALUE function will yield a #VALUE! error. Before using the function, users must verify that the data is accurate and consistent.
- Data Normalization and Cleaning: The VALUE function is frequently used in data normalization and cleansing operations to ensure that numerical data is consistently kept as numeric values rather than text. Precise analysis and reporting require this.
- Compliance with Data Import: Numerical data may be stored as text when importing information from other sources, such as databases or text files. To easily integrate such text representations into Excel worksheets, the VALUE function helps translate them into numeric values.
- Use in Formulas and Calculations: Text representations of numbers can be used in formulas and calculations alike, once they have been transformed into numeric values using Excel’s VALUE function.
Uses of the Excel VALUE Function
These uses demonstrate the importance of the VALUE function in various data processing and analysis tasks within Excel, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of numerical data handling.
- Data Conversion: Text representations of numbers are converted into actual numeric values using the VALUE function. Ensuring consistency and precision in the processing of numerical data requires this.
- Data analysis: The VALUE function helps users perform several data analysis activities, including calculating sums, averages, and other statistical measurements by converting text to numeric values.
- Data Cleaning: By transforming irregular text representations of numbers into a consistent numeric format, the VALUE function aids in standardizing data formats during data cleansing procedures.
- Imported Data Handling: Numerical data may be kept as text when imported from outside sources such as databases or text files. Such text data can be transformed into numerical values for additional processing and analysis with the help of the VALUE function.
- Formula Integration: The VALUE function yields numerical values that may be easily incorporated into formulae and computations in Excel worksheets, enabling users to complete intricate calculations precisely.
- Data visualization and interpretation can be aided by using charts and graphs to display numerical data that was extracted from text representations using the VALUE function.
- Automation: By integrating the VALUE function into automated workflows and processes, text data can be effectively converted to numeric values without human intervention.
- Error Handling: When converting text input to numeric values, the VALUE function can detect and manage mistakes resulting from inconsistent or inaccurate data formats.
- Normalization: The VALUE function makes it easier to transform text-based numerical data into a consistent numeric format for database administration and data normalization activities, guaranteeing data consistency and integrity.
- Financial Analysis: To ensure correct financial computations, text-based financial data such as currency values, interest rates, and percentages are converted into numeric values using the VALUE function in financial modeling and analysis.
VALUE Function Examples
Basic Examples
As stated in the argument and sytax section, we can define the text argument as an hardcoded text or refer to a cell containing a text. Let’s see some examples below:
‘
=VALUE(A1) // refers to cell A1 with text strings to be converted
Our dataset includes numbers downloaded directly from the Oracle GL but outputted as text. Converting them to numbers is essential for accurate analysis. One effective method is using the VALUE function. We only need to create a column that will refer to the existing column, as seen in our illustrations below. We will start with the data set and take you through the steps to convert it into numbers.
Using the ISNUMBER Function to test, we can see that the cost centre numbers are currently not formatted as numbers. To resolve this, we would insert a column in column E and apply the VALUE Function on column B inputs.
Now, let’s test the output in column E with the ISNUMBER Function.
VALUE Function Combinations
This section will explore combining the VALUE Function with other functions to define the output further. The first combination we will explore is the VALUE and TEXT Functions Combination.
VALUE & Text Function Combination
Let’s assume that we have various decimal numbers formatted as text, and we want to convert them to numbers, but not exceeding 2 decimal places, we can combine the VALUE Function with the TEXT function to define the maximum decimal places:
By combining the VALUE Function with the TEXT Function, we have reduced each number to 2 Decimal places.
VALUE & SUBSTITUTE Function for Text with Commas
In a scenario where your input has an unwanted character, you could convert it with numbers by combining the VALUE Function with the SUBSTITUTE Function. Take, for example, we download a report, and the numbers have double commas:
Let’s try our normal VALUE Function to see if it returns a number
Our VALUE Function returns an error because it is no longer a numerical representation in text. To solve this, we will need to combine the VALUE Function with the SUBSTITUTE Function
Explaining the Formula
SUBSTITUTE(B1, ",", "")
: This part of the formula replaces all occurrences of the comma (“,”) in the value of cell C1 with an empty string (“”). This effectively removes the commas from the text string.- VALUE(): This function takes the result of the SUBSTITUTE function (now a comma-free text string) and converts it into a numerical value.
VALUE & LEFT Function
In our dataset for this section, we’ve listed items purchased during our recent grocery trip. In the image below, you’ll notice each item’s detail paired with the quantity purchased. If we’re interested in the total quantity only, we can accomplish this by utilizing the VALUE Function alongside the LEFT function. This approach works because the text consistently places the count first, followed by the item description.
If we use the VALUE Function only, we get a #VALUE error. However, we get the count if we combine the VALUE Function with the LEFT Function. Let’s create a column to try it out in. The formula to use is as follows: