Hey, besties!
Today, I’m going to let you in on a little secret to make the most of Google Sheets’ features. Do you know how to convert numbers to strings in your spreadsheets? Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything in detail!
Get Familiar with Number Formats in Google Sheets
Let’s start by reviewing the main number formats in Google Sheets. You can find them in the main menu under “Format,” then clicking on “Number.” You have five options: basic numbers, percentages, scientific notation, currencies, and dates & times. You can also create custom formats.
Using the TO_TEXT() Function
The easiest way to convert numbers to strings in Google Sheets is by using the TO_TEXT() function. Simply point to the cell containing the number you want to convert, and this function will do the rest. The original cell formatting will be preserved.
Using the TEXT() Function for Dates and Times
If you need more flexibility, you can use the TEXT() function. It requires you to point to the cell containing the number and define how that number should be converted to a string. For example, to transform the date “9/24/1978” into “Sept 24, 1978,” we would use the format “mmm dd, yyyy.” The formula would be =TEXT(H2, “mmm dd, yyyy”).
You can choose from multiple formats for dates and times. Here are a few examples:
Formats for Dates
- =TEXT(A3, “mmm. dd, yyyy”) -> Jun. 24, 1998
- =TEXT(A3, “mmmm dd, yyyy”) -> June 24, 1998
- =TEXT(A3, “dd mm yyyy”) -> 24 06 1998
- =TEXT(A3, “dd mm yy”) -> 24 06 98
- =TEXT(A3, “dd mmm yyyy”) -> 24 Jun 1998
Formats for Times
- =TEXT(A9,”hh:mm AM/PM”) -> 02:55 PM
- =TEXT(A9,”hh:mm”) -> 14:55
To display currencies and percentages, we use the symbols # and 0 as placeholders for digits. The symbol 0 adds a zero if the number has fewer digits than required. If the specified format has fewer digits than the number itself, Google Sheets will automatically round it. Check out these examples:
Formats for Decimals
- =TEXT(A13, “###.000”) -> 275.665
- =TEXT(A13, “###.0”) -> 275.7
- =TEXT(A13, “0000.000”) -> 0275.665
- =TEXT(A13, “###”) -> 276
Formats for Percentages
- =TEXT(A18,”0.000%”) -> 6.746%
- =TEXT(A18,”0%”) -> 7%
Format for Currencies
- =TEXT(A21,”$####.##”) -> $7259.25
Supercharge Your Spreadsheets with Lido
Now that you know some tips to convert numbers to strings in Google Sheets, it’s important not to forget to convert those formulas into static values once you’re done. This will prevent future issues. You can follow our tutorial on Crawlan.com to learn more.
There you have it! You’re now ready to unleash the full potential of Google Sheets! Feel free to share these tips with your friends.
Have a great day!
Your friend at Bola Marketing
