In this Excel tutorial I show you how to use the Text function in Excel. Text function converts numbers into text in a specific format. This is useful for displaying data clearly. For example, format dates, times, or currency in a readable way. Below is a step-by-step guide to using the TEXT function effectively.
Step 1: Understand the Syntax
The Text function has two main arguments. The first is the value you want to format. The second is the format code. The syntax is =TEXT(value, format_text). The value can be a number, date, or time. The format code defines how the value appears.
Step 2: Choose the Value
Select the cell containing the value to format. This could be a number, date, or time. For example, use a cell with a date like 11/21/2025. The Text function will convert this into a more readable format.
Step 3: Enter the Format Code
Decide how you want the value to appear. Use format codes to define the display. For dates, use codes like “dd/mm/yyyy” or “mmmm d, yyyy”. For numbers, use codes like “0.00” or “$#,##0.00”. For times, use codes like “hh:mm AM/PM”.
Step 4: Write the TEXT Formula
Select the cell where you want the formatted text. Enter the value or cell reference. Add a comma, then type the format code in quotes. For example, =TEXT(A1, “dd/mm/yyyy”).
Step 5: Apply to Different Data Types
Experiment with different data types and formats. For numbers, try =TEXT(1234.567, “$#,##0.00”). This displays the number as currency. For times, use =TEXT(“13:30”, “hh:mm AM/PM”). This converts 24-hour time to 12-hour format.
Step 6: Combine with Other Functions
Combine TEXT with other functions for advanced tasks. For example, use it with CONCATENATE to create custom messages. A formula like =CONCATENATE(“Today is “, TEXT(TODAY(), “mmmm d, yyyy”)) generates a dynamic date string.
Step 7: Handle Errors
If the format code is incorrect, TEXT returns an error. Double-check the code for typos or mismatches. Ensure the value matches the format. For example, don’t use a date format for a number.
Practice using TEXT with various examples. Try formatting phone numbers, percentages, or custom text. Explore Excel’s built-in format codes for inspiration. The more you experiment, the more you’ll learn.
