Do you want to add custom text to numbers in Google Sheets without losing the ability to use them in calculations? We have the solution for you! With the Format > Custom number format feature, you can seamlessly add text to your numbers while retaining their calculation capabilities.
The Limitations of Traditional Approaches
Before we dive into the solution, let’s explore the drawbacks of traditional methods. Using functions like CONCATENATE or the ampersand (&) symbol certainly gets the job done. However, they come with two significant limitations:
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Text Conversion: When you add text to a number using these methods, the resulting value becomes text. This means you cannot use the modified number in calculations, losing vital functionality.
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Additional Cells: To apply these functions, you often need to use an extra cell to house the formula. This extra step can be cumbersome and cluttered, making your Sheets harder to manage.
For instance, suppose you have the value 12500 in cell A1, and you want to add the text “(approx)” alongside it. The formula in cell B1 would look like this:
=A1&" (approx)" // returns 12500 (approx)
Retaining Number Formatting using Custom Number Formats
To overcome these limitations and keep your numbers intact, you need to leverage Google Sheets’ Custom number format feature. By following these simple steps, you can add custom text to your numbers while preserving their formatting:
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Select the Cell(s): Choose the cells you wish to format. For example, let’s select cell A1.
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Access the Custom Number Formats: Click on Format > Number > Custom number format to open the Custom number formats dialog box.
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Enter the Format Code: In the Custom number format field, enter
##,#0.00 "text", replacing “text” with your desired text. If you want to add “approx,” the code will be##,#0.00 "(approx)". -
Apply the Format: Click Apply to finalize the custom number format.
How to Verify If the Value is a Number
After applying the custom number format, you might want to check if the resulting value is indeed a number. Here are two methods to determine whether a cell contains a number or not:
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Formula Bar: Select the cell and observe the value in the formula bar. It will display only the number, without any accompanying text.
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ISNUMBER Formula: Alternatively, you can use the following formula in any other cell:
=ISNUMBER(cell_reference)
This formula returns TRUE if the specified cell contains a number; otherwise, it returns FALSE.
For example, if you input the formula =ISNUMBER(A1) in cell B1, and cell A1 is formatted with the custom number format ##,#.00 "(approx)", the formula in cell B1 will return TRUE. This indicates that the value in cell A1 is a number, despite the formatting that includes accompanying text.
Breaking Down the Google Sheets Custom Number Format Code
To understand the code we used to add custom text to numbers while retaining formatting, let’s explore its components:
##,#0.00 "text"
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“text” token: It displays the content inside the quotation marks as a literal. In our example, the text is “(approx)”.
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# token: This represents a digit in the number. An insignificant zero digit is not rendered, so if a cell contains just a 0, it won’t display it.
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0 token: This represents a digit in the number. However, an insignificant zero digit is rendered. If a cell contains just a 0, it will be displayed.
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. (period) token: It represents the decimal point in the number.
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, (comma) token: This groups thousands for easier reading.
You can adapt this code by replacing “text” with any custom text or symbol you want to add to the number. This feature proves beneficial when you need to include terms like “approx” or “lump sum” alongside your numbers for calculation purposes. Without it, you would have to manually type or insert the text in an adjoining cell corresponding to the number.
Conclusion: Unleashing the Potential of Custom Text in Google Sheets
Adding custom text to numbers in Google Sheets not only allows you to enhance readability but also unlocks various other possibilities. For instance, you can create custom currency formats that cater to your specific needs.
Suppose you want to use the currency symbol د.إ (UAE Dirham [AED]). In that case, you can incorporate the following code:
#,##0.00 "د.إ"
This code formats the cell value with two decimal places, and the text “د.إ” will be appended to the end. However, it is worth noting that Google Sheets already includes most currencies by default.
Feel free to utilize custom currency formats in any cell within Google Sheets, and they will be fully functional within calculations.
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So, start adding custom text to numbers today and elevate your Google Sheets experience to new heights!
