How to Convert to Number in Excel in Bulk
Excel is a powerful tool that is widely used for data analysis and management. One common task in Excel is converting text to numbers. However, when dealing with large datasets, manually converting each cell can be time-consuming and error-prone. In this article, we will discuss how to convert text to numbers in Excel in bulk, saving you time and effort.
1. Using the “Text to Columns” Feature
The “Text to Columns” feature in Excel is a straightforward method to convert text to numbers in bulk. Here’s how to do it:
1. Select the range of cells containing the text numbers you want to convert.
2. Go to the “Data” tab on the ribbon.
3. Click on “Text to Columns” in the “Data Tools” group.
4. In the “Text to Columns” wizard, select “Delimited” as the data type.
5. Click “Next” and choose the delimiter that separates the text numbers (e.g., a comma, space, or tab).
6. In the “Data preview” section, click “Next” to confirm the changes.
7. Choose “Text” as the data type for the converted column.
8. Click “Finish” to convert the text to numbers in bulk.
2. Using the “Find and Replace” Feature
The “Find and Replace” feature in Excel can also be used to convert text to numbers in bulk. Here’s how to do it:
1. Select the range of cells containing the text numbers you want to convert.
2. Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon.
3. Click on “Find & Select” in the “Editing” group and choose “Replace.”
4. In the “Find what” field, enter the character that represents the number you want to convert (e.g., a comma).
5. In the “Replace with” field, enter the corresponding number (e.g., a zero).
6. Click “Replace All” to convert all instances of the character to numbers in the selected range.
3. Using the “VLOOKUP” Function
The “VLOOKUP” function in Excel can be used to convert text to numbers in bulk by referencing a separate list of numbers. Here’s how to do it:
1. Create a separate list of numbers in a new column next to the text numbers you want to convert.
2. In the cell where you want to display the converted number, enter the following formula:
“`
=VLOOKUP(A2, B:B, 2, FALSE)
“`
Replace “A2” with the cell containing the text number you want to convert, and “B:B” with the range of cells containing the number list. The formula will return the corresponding number from the list.
4. Using the “Power Query” Feature
The “Power Query” feature in Excel is a powerful tool for data transformation and can be used to convert text to numbers in bulk. Here’s how to do it:
1. Select the range of cells containing the text numbers you want to convert.
2. Go to the “Data” tab on the ribbon and click on “Get & Transform Data” > “From Table/Range.”
3. In the Power Query Editor, click on “Transform” in the ribbon.
4. Use the “Replace Values” or “Replace Text” feature to replace the text numbers with their corresponding numbers.
5. Close and load the data back into Excel to convert the text to numbers in bulk.
By using these methods, you can easily convert text to numbers in Excel in bulk, saving you time and effort when working with large datasets.
