Syntax
=VALUE(text)
text- The text to convert.
VALUE function in Google Sheets
VALUE converts text that looks like a number into an actual number. Use it after importing CSVs or extracting digits with LEFT, RIGHT or MID, so sorting and math work properly.
Practice VALUE
Task 1 of 1
The quantities were imported as text. Use VALUE to convert A2 to a number and multiply it by the unit price in B2. Answer in C2.
Tip: while typing a formula, click a cell or drag across cells to insert references. Press Enter to check, and Tab to accept a function suggestion.
VALUE examples
Each example below runs against this sample sheet. The results are calculated by the same engine as the practice grid.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw name | SKU | Note |
| 2 | maya PATEL | ELC-0427-NY | Refund requested |
| 3 | leo rossi | FUR-1180-TX | Shipped |
| 4 | AVA KIM | OFC-0093-CA | Refund issued |
| Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
=VALUE(MID(B2, 5, 4)) | 427 | Text "0427" becomes the number 427. |
=VALUE("12.5%") | 0.125 | Percentages convert to decimals. |
=VALUE(C2) | #VALUE! | Text that isn't numeric gives #VALUE!. |
Tips and common mistakes
- Arithmetic often converts text automatically (="5"*2 is 10), but SUM over a range does not. That's where VALUE matters.
Related functions
Learning step by step? VALUE is covered in Lesson 29: REPT, EXACT & VALUE of the free course.