TEXT Function in Excel: Everything You Need to Know

TEXT Function in Excel: Everything You Need to Know

This is a function of the excel known as TEXT which is quite powerful for use in assisting the users to format the numbers, dates, and text in ways they might want. This is how this function is useful: only that it can only be applied when one feels compelled to alter the presentation of data without its value change. Whether one is discovering Excel or has used it for many years, mastering the TEXT function can greatly assist in the manipulation and presentation of one’s data.

What is the TEXT Function in Excel?

This TEXT function in excel converts any value to text in some particular format. The main application of the TEXT function is converting numeric or date values into a version according to a user’s personal format.

Syntax of the TEXT Function

The syntax of the TEXT function is pretty straightforward:

TEXT(value, format_text)

Value: The number, date, or value you want to format.
Format_text: The format you want to apply, enclosed in quotation marks.
For example, =TEXT(1234.56, ” $#,##0.00″) will format the number 1234.56 as “$1,234.56.”

Key Uses of the TEXT Function

The TEXT function is very handy for personal, academic, and professional use. It has several applications that prove helpful.

Number Formatting

The TEXT function allows you to format numbers with specific styles, including adding commas, decimal points, or currency symbols.
For example: =TEXT(1234.567, “0.00”) returns “1234.57.”

Formatting Dates

You can add any formatting that Excel does not automatically apply with to your date.
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Example: =TEXT(TODAY(), “MM/DD/YYYY”) returns the current date entered in the format above

Text and Numbers

The TEXT function proves to be useful when working with a combination of text and numbers in a format that works for you
Example: =”The total is “&TEXT(1234.56, “$#,##0.00”) returns “The total is $1,234.56.”

Benefits of Applying the TEXT Function

The TEXT function has advantages which may make your work in Excel much more efficient and presentable.

Presenting Data

The applying of the text function does present your data much better readable and pleasing to see. Custom formatting makes quite a difference in viewing your information, especially on reports.

Custom Formatting

The use of TEXT function allows users to accommodate different formats according to the different types of applications, for example in the analysis of financial activities, recording and reporting on various projects among others.

Compatibility with other functions

TEXT works very well with other excel formulas such as CONCATENATE, IF, or VLOOKUP. It thus provides a means to heavily manipulate data and then accommodate the output.

LIMITATIONS OF TEXT FUNCTION:

While very versatile, the TEXT function also has some limitations

Converts Values to Text

The outcome of the TEXT function is always text, though it appears like a number or is not. This can sometimes raise a few errors in the output if mishandled in the computation.

Dependent on Format Accuracy

Entered format strings or unsupported format strings will result in an error or incorrect results. Users need to be careful and ensure they use the correct format codes.

Most Frequently Used Format Codes in the TEXT Function

The most used format codes are these:

Number Formatting

  • “.00”: two decimal places
  • #,##0: Comma’s included for the thousands

Date Formatting

  • “MM/DD/YYYY”: It will show the standard format of a date
  • “DD-MMM-YYYY”: Will give day and abbreviated month followed by year

Time Formatting

  • “HH:MM AM/PM”: It returns in 12 hour time formats
  • “HH:MM:SS”: It returns in hours, minutes, and seconds.

Text Formatting

"@": Represents text strings as they are.

Real life example of TEXT function:

Practice TEXT function along with other functions by the help of the example taken from real life.

Example 1: Number Format

You have the number in cell A1. Here’s how to format it as currency
=TEXT(A1, ” $#,##0.00″)

Example 2: Date Format

Here’s how to enter the date in the format “Month Day, Year.”
=TEXT(A1, “MMMM DD, YYYY”)

Example 3: Zero Fill

For proper number alignment like the ID number
=TEXT(A1, “0000”) will result in the number 5 in the format “0005.”

Conclusion

The TEXT function is your formatting and presentation tool in Excel for your data. Values are converted into text formats for better reading and usage purposes. Results come in text strings; however, sometimes this demands an additional step for some numerical calculations. When properly practiced, the TEXT function will find a good spot in your cornerstones of expertise on using Excel.

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