Convert text to number in Excel

Richard Curtis 80 Reputation points
2026-09-16T17:57:09.0466667+00:00

Data in a range is marked with a green triangle to indicate that it's text - it's been exported from another application. When I select the cells, I expect a function to appear alongside the top left cell to 'convert text to numbers' but the function is absent. Maybe because support has just ended for this product. How do I convert text to numbers so that I can copy them to a spreadsheet for analysis?

Richard

Screenshot 2026-09-16 excel convert text to number

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-09-16T17:57:28.0833333+00:00

If the green triangle is present but Convert to Number does not appear, use one of these supported methods:

  1. Try the error indicator path first:
    • Select the cells.
    • Select the error indicator in the top-left of the selected cell, or press Alt+Shift+F10.
    • Select Convert to Number.
  2. If the alert button is missing, enable error checking:
    • Go to File > Options.
    • Select Formulas.
    • Under Error Checking, turn on Enable background error checking.
  3. If conversion still is not offered, use a formula:
    • Insert a new column next to the text values.
    • In the first row of the new column, enter =VALUE(cell) using the matching source cell reference.
    • Fill the formula down.
    • Copy the results.
    • Paste back over the original column using Paste Special > Values.
  4. If the exported data contains extra spaces or nonprintable characters, clean it first:
    • Use TRIM to remove extra spaces.
    • Use CLEAN to remove nonprintable characters.
    • Then convert again with VALUE or Convert to Number.
  5. Another workaround for imported values:
    • Select the column.
    • Set the number format to General.
    • On the Data tab, select Text to Columns.
    • Choose Delimited, then select Finish.

Expected result after successful conversion: the green triangle is removed, and the values are treated as numbers for calculation and analysis.

References:

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  1. Ashish Mathur 102.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-16T23:22:58.51+00:00

    Hi,

    Copy a blank cell and select the range of numbers. Right click > Paste Special > Add.

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