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NUMBERVALUE Function in Excel
Converts text to a number in a locale-independent way.
Syntax
- =NUMBERVALUE(text, [decimal_separator], [group_separator])
Arguments
- text (required): Text representing a number
- decimal_separator (optional): Character used as decimal point
- group_separator (optional): Character used as thousands separator
Examples
- =NUMBERVALUE("1.234,56", ",", ".") - European format - Result: 1234.56
- =NUMBERVALUE("$1,234.56") - Currency text - Result: 1234.56
Excel NUMBERVALUE function documentation
- NUMBERVALUE converts text to numbers using explicit decimal and group separators.
- Syntax: =NUMBERVALUE(text, [decimal_separator], [group_separator]).
- Use NUMBERVALUE for robust international imports where commas and periods vary by region.
- Text function category: [/categories/text/](/categories/text/).
NUMBERVALUE syntax and locale control
- text is required and should contain a numeric representation as string.
- decimal_separator and group_separator are optional but critical for mixed-locale files.
- NUMBERVALUE handles spaces and separators better than generic VALUE in many import cases.
- Returns #VALUE! when text contains incompatible symbols or inconsistent separators.
Step-by-step: parse EU-formatted amounts
- Step 1 - Source text values in A2 like 1.234,56.
- Step 2 - In B2 use =NUMBERVALUE(A2,",",".").
- Step 3 - Copy down and format B as Number or Currency.
- Step 4 - Validate totals against source system to confirm parsing accuracy.
NUMBERVALUE vs VALUE vs TEXT cleanup
- NUMBERVALUE is best when decimal/group symbols need explicit control.
- VALUE is simpler but more dependent on workbook locale assumptions.
- TEXT creates formatted strings and should not be used for numeric conversion.
- Date imports should use [DATE](/functions/date/) and DATEVALUE-related flows.
Worked examples to copy
- US style parse: =NUMBERVALUE("1,234.56",".",",").
- EU style parse: =NUMBERVALUE("1.234,56",",",".").
- Cell conversion: =NUMBERVALUE(A2).
- Safe conversion: =IFERROR(NUMBERVALUE(A2,",","."),0).
People also ask
- Why use NUMBERVALUE instead of VALUE? - It gives explicit separator control.
- Can NUMBERVALUE parse percentages? - Yes, if text is compatible with separator settings.
- NUMBERVALUE returns #VALUE! - Check separator arguments and stray symbols.
- Is NUMBERVALUE good for CSV imports? - Yes, especially in multinational datasets.
Common errors
- #VALUE! if text cannot be converted
Use cases
- Import international data
- Parse formatted numbers
- Data cleaning
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert European number format (1.234,56) to a number? Use =NUMBERVALUE(A1, ",", ".") where comma is decimal separator and period is thousands separator. This converts "1.234,56" to 1234.56. Essential when importing data from European systems.
- What is the difference between VALUE and NUMBERVALUE? VALUE uses your system's locale settings. NUMBERVALUE lets you specify separators explicitly, making it locale-independent. Use NUMBERVALUE when importing data from different regions or when VALUE fails on foreign formats.
- Can NUMBERVALUE handle currency symbols and percentages? NUMBERVALUE automatically ignores currency symbols ($, €, £) and converts percentages (50% becomes 0.5). It's more flexible than VALUE for cleaning formatted text numbers from various sources.
Editorial review
- Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.
When to use NUMBERVALUE
- Import international data — common Text scenario for NUMBERVALUE.
- Parse formatted numbers — common Text scenario for NUMBERVALUE.
- Data cleaning — common Text scenario for NUMBERVALUE.
NUMBERVALUE in the Text category
- Browse all Text functions at /categories/text/ for related formulas.
- NUMBERVALUE syntax: =NUMBERVALUE(text, [decimal_separator], [group_separator])
- text (required): Text representing a number
- decimal_separator (optional): Character used as decimal point
- group_separator (optional): Character used as thousands separator
- Confirm NUMBERVALUE arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
- Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
Formula checklist before you copy down
- Confirm NUMBERVALUE arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
- Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
- If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
- Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.
Related Excel functions
- VALUE (/functions/value/): Converts a text string that represents a number to a number.
- TEXT (/functions/text-function/): Converts a value to text in a specified number format.
- FIXED (/functions/fixed/): Formats a number as text with a fixed number of decimals.
Errors to watch for
- #VALUE! if text cannot be converted — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
Copy-paste audit workflow
- Enter NUMBERVALUE on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
- Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
- Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
- Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.
NUMBERVALUE worked examples to copy
- =NUMBERVALUE("1.234,56", ",", ".") — European format. Expected result: 1234.56.
- =NUMBERVALUE("$1,234.56") — Currency text. Expected result: 1234.56.
NUMBERVALUE reference summary for crawlers and offline review
- NUMBERVALUE belongs to the Text category in Excel. Converts text to a number in a locale-independent way.
- Full syntax: =NUMBERVALUE(text, [decimal_separator], [group_separator]). Open /functions/numbervalue/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
- Common mistakes: #VALUE! if text cannot be converted
- Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
- Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.