What is the syntax for VALUE in Excel?

The syntax for VALUE is: =VALUE(text)

What are common errors with VALUE?

#VALUE! if text cannot be converted to a number

What is VALUE used for in Excel?

VALUE converts text that looks like a number into an actual number. This is essential when importing data that Excel stores as text (often shown with green triangle). Numbers stored as text can't be used in calculations until converted.

How do I convert text numbers with currency symbols?

VALUE handles common formats: =VALUE("$1,000") returns 1000, =VALUE("€500") returns 500. It strips currency symbols and thousand separators. For unusual formats, use SUBSTITUTE first to remove problematic characters.

What is the difference between VALUE and NUMBERVALUE?

VALUE uses your system's regional settings for decimal/thousand separators. NUMBERVALUE lets you specify separators: =NUMBERVALUE("1.234,56", ",", ".") for European format. Use NUMBERVALUE for international data with different number formats.

Text

VALUE Function in Excel

Converts a text string that represents a number to a number.

Syntax

=VALUE(text)

Arguments

text (required): The text enclosed in quotation marks or a reference to a cell containing text

Examples

=VALUE("123") - Convert text to number - Result: 123
=VALUE("$1,000") - Convert currency text - Result: 1000
=VALUE("01/01/2024") - Convert date text to serial number - Result: 45292

Text cleanup before VALUE

Run [TRIM](/functions/trim/) and [CLEAN](/functions/clean/) on imported keys before lookups.
Join or split text before analysis — see [TEXTJOIN](/functions/textjoin/) and [TEXTSPLIT](/functions/textsplit/).
Guide: [Excel text functions](/guides/excel-text-functions-guide/).

Common errors

#VALUE! if text cannot be converted to a number

Use cases

Converting imported text data
Cleaning data
Text to number conversion

Frequently asked questions

What is VALUE used for in Excel? VALUE converts text that looks like a number into an actual number. This is essential when importing data that Excel stores as text (often shown with green triangle). Numbers stored as text can't be used in calculations until converted.
How do I convert text numbers with currency symbols? VALUE handles common formats: =VALUE("$1,000") returns 1000, =VALUE("€500") returns 500. It strips currency symbols and thousand separators. For unusual formats, use SUBSTITUTE first to remove problematic characters.
What is the difference between VALUE and NUMBERVALUE? VALUE uses your system's regional settings for decimal/thousand separators. NUMBERVALUE lets you specify separators: =NUMBERVALUE("1.234,56", ",", ".") for European format. Use NUMBERVALUE for international data with different number formats.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.