How to fix #N/A error in TEXT Function in Excel?

The #N/A error typically occurs when there's an issue with the formula parameters or references. Use AskFormulas to generate validated formulas that avoid these errors.

How to fix #REF! error in TEXT Function in Excel?

The #REF! error typically occurs when there's an issue with the formula parameters or references. Use AskFormulas to generate validated formulas that avoid these errors.

How to fix #VALUE! error in TEXT Function in Excel?

The #VALUE! error typically occurs when there's an issue with the formula parameters or references. Use AskFormulas to generate validated formulas that avoid these errors.

How to fix #DIV/0! error in TEXT Function in Excel?

The #DIV/0! error typically occurs when there's an issue with the formula parameters or references. Use AskFormulas to generate validated formulas that avoid these errors.

How to fix #NAME? error in TEXT Function in Excel?

The #NAME? error typically occurs when there's an issue with the formula parameters or references. Use AskFormulas to generate validated formulas that avoid these errors.

TEXT Function in Excel

Master the TEXT function to format numbers, dates, and values as text with custom formats. Learn syntax, examples, and solutions to common formatting issues.

Excel

Google Sheets

text

intermediate

Syntax Preview

Excel

Google Sheets

=TEXT(value, format_text)

Quick Answer

Comprehensive Explanation

Format Codes Guide

## Quick Answer

The **TEXT function** is a formatting function in Excel and Google Sheets that converts numeric values, dates, and times into text strings with specific formatting. It returns a text string and is commonly used for creating custom number formats, formatting dates for display, and combining numbers with text. The basic syntax is `=TEXT(value, format_text)` where value is the number or date to format, and format_text is a text string containing format codes like "0.00" for two decimal places or "mm/dd/yyyy" for date formatting.

This function excels at maintaining consistent formatting when combining numbers with text and typically saves hours when creating reports or dashboards. Whether you're formatting currency values, creating custom date displays, or preparing data for concatenation, mastering TEXT will enhance your spreadsheet productivity by ensuring professional, consistent formatting.

💡 **Pro tip:** Use TEXT to preserve leading zeros in ZIP codes or product codes that Excel would otherwise remove.

## What is the TEXT Function?

The TEXT function is one of Excel and Google Sheets' most versatile text manipulation functions, designed to convert numeric values into formatted text strings. First introduced in early Excel versions, it has become essential for analysts, accountants, and data professionals who need to control how numbers and dates appear in their spreadsheets.

### Core Functionality

At its core, TEXT operates by applying format codes to numeric values. The function takes your input value and transforms it according to the format pattern you specify. It processes the value by parsing the format string character by character, applying number formatting rules, and returning a text representation. This three-step process ensures consistent formatting, maintains display precision, and provides complete control over appearance.

The function can handle values up to 15 significant digits and processes formatting instantly on standard systems.

### When to Use TEXT

TEXT is optimal for several scenarios:

**Combining with Other Text:** When you need to concatenate numbers with text while preserving specific formatting, because direct concatenation would lose number formatting.

**Creating Reports:** For generating consistent report formats requiring specific number or date displays that must remain unchanged regardless of cell formatting.

**Data Export:** In situations where you're preparing data for systems that require specific text formats, ensuring compatibility with external applications.

**Preventing Auto-formatting:** When Excel's automatic formatting would otherwise change your data, such as removing leading zeros from ZIP codes or converting fractions to decimals.

### Platform Compatibility

TEXT works across platforms with minor variations:

- **Excel 365:** Full support including all format codes and regional settings
- **Excel 2019+:** Standard implementation with complete format code library
- **Google Sheets:** Nearly identical with some format code differences
- **Excel Online:** Full compatibility with desktop version

Note: Some regional format codes may vary based on system locale settings.

### Key Advantages Over Alternatives

While functions like FORMAT and custom cell formatting serve similar purposes, TEXT distinguishes itself through:

- **Formula Integration:** Unlike cell formatting, TEXT works within formulas for dynamic formatting
- **Concatenation Ready:** The function returns text that can be immediately combined with other strings
- **Consistency:** Results remain the same regardless of cell formatting changes
- **Portability:** TEXT formulas maintain formatting when copying between workbooks

Practical Examples

Common Errors and Solutions

#VALUE!

TEXT formula returns #VALUE! error

Cause:

The format_text parameter is not a valid format string or contains syntax errors

Solution:

1. Check that format codes are enclosed in quotes 2. Verify format codes are valid (e.g., 'mm' not 'mn' for months) 3. Ensure special characters are properly escaped 4. Use double quotes around the entire format string 5. Test with a simple format first like "0.00"

Prevention:

Always enclose format strings in double quotes and refer to format code documentation

Frequency: 35%

Example:

Wrong Date Display

Dates showing as numbers like 45562 instead of formatted date

Cause:

The value parameter is not recognized as a valid date or the date serial number isn't being interpreted correctly

Solution:

1. Ensure the source cell contains a proper date value 2. Use DATE function to create valid dates first 3. Check if the date is stored as text and convert using DATEVALUE 4. Verify regional date settings match your data 5. Try =TEXT(DATEVALUE(A2), "mm/dd/yyyy") for text dates

Prevention:

Always verify source data is in proper date format before applying TEXT function

Frequency: 28%

Example:

Lost Precision

Numbers rounded unexpectedly or losing decimal places

Cause:

The format string doesn't include enough decimal places or uses rounding format codes

Solution:

1. Add more decimal places to format: "0.0000" instead of "0.00" 2. Use # for optional digits: "#,##0.###" 3. Check source data precision isn't already limited 4. Avoid percentage formats if you need exact decimals 5. Consider if TEXT is needed or if VALUE would preserve precision

Prevention:

Match format decimal places to your data's precision requirements

Frequency: 20%

Example:

Regional Format Issues

Format codes not working as expected in different regional settings

Cause:

Format codes vary by system locale - comma vs period for decimals, date order differences

Solution:

1. Use locale-neutral formats when sharing internationally 2. Test with DOLLAR vs EURO functions for currency 3. Use ISO date format "yyyy-mm-dd" for consistency 4. Document regional assumptions in your spreadsheet 5. Consider using separate format strings for different regions

Prevention:

Develop templates with region-specific format variants

Frequency: 17%

Example:

Best Practices and Advanced Techniques

Store format codes in cells and reference them dynamically for flexible formatting. Create a format library in a hidden sheet with named ranges like 'CurrencyFormat' or 'DateFormat'. This allows updating all formulas by changing one cell.

Use TEXT within CONCATENATE or CONCAT functions to build complex strings with mixed formatting. This is perfect for creating narrative reports or email templates with embedded formatted values.

Remember that TEXT always returns a text string, not a number. You cannot perform calculations on TEXT results without converting back using VALUE. Plan your formula sequence accordingly.

Always wrap TEXT in IFERROR when dealing with potentially invalid data to prevent formula errors from cascading through your spreadsheet.

Use semicolons in format strings to apply different formats based on positive, negative, zero, or text values. Format pattern: positive;negative;zero;text

For large datasets, consider whether formatting is needed in the formula or if cell formatting would be more efficient. TEXT adds processing overhead compared to native number formatting.

Use 'dddd' for full day names (Monday) and 'mmmm' for full month names (September). Use 'ddd' and 'mmm' for abbreviated versions (Mon, Sep).

TEXT vs Alternative Functions

Frequently Asked Questions

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Can TEXT function format multiple cells at once?

**A:** No, TEXT works on single values. To format multiple cells, you need to:
- Copy the formula down a column
- Use array formulas in Excel 365: `=TEXT(A1:A10, "0.00")`
- Combine with other functions like ARRAYFORMULA in Google Sheets

### Q: How do I preserve the formatted result as a number?

**A:** TEXT always returns text. If you need a number with formatting:
1. Use cell formatting instead of TEXT
2. Apply TEXT only for display purposes
3. Keep original numeric values in hidden columns
4. Use VALUE function to convert back when needed: `=VALUE(TEXT(A1, "0.00"))`

### Q: Why doesn't TEXT work with my regional settings?

**A:** Format codes can vary by region:
- **Decimal separator:** Use period (.) for US, comma (,) for Europe
- **Thousand separator:** Use comma (,) for US, period (.) for Europe
- **Date order:** mm/dd/yyyy (US) vs dd/mm/yyyy (Europe)
- **Solution:** Create region-specific versions or use locale-neutral formats

### Q: Can I use TEXT with conditional formatting?

**A:** TEXT creates text values that conditional formatting can evaluate, but the formatting from TEXT itself doesn't respond to conditional formatting rules. For dynamic visual formatting, use conditional formatting on cells rather than TEXT.

### Q: How do I format negative numbers in red?

**A:** Use a four-part format string with color codes:
```excel
=TEXT(A1, "$#,##0.00;[Red]-$#,##0.00;$0.00;@")
```
Note: Color formatting in TEXT only works in Excel, not Google Sheets.

### Q: What's the maximum length for format strings?

**A:** Format strings can be up to 255 characters long, which is sufficient for even complex formatting needs. If you need longer formats, consider breaking them into multiple TEXT functions and combining results.