Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Converting Numbers to Strings.
You already know that you can use variables in your macros, and that there are two very basic types of variables: string variables (containing characters) and numeric variables (containing numeric values). You can quickly and easily convert a number into a string in your macros. This is the done with the Str() function. The way you use this function is as follows:
A = Str(B)
In this syntax, if B is equal to 5, then when completed, A will be " 5"; if B is -4, then A would be "-4". Notice the leading space when converting positive numbers. This may not provide satisfactory results for some subroutines. Instead, you should create a function that returns a stripped-down version of the string. The following function does just that:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
Function ToNum(X as Variant) as String
ToNum = Trim(Str(X))
End Function
The reason that the value passed to the VBA function (X) is defined as a Variant is that you can then pass any type of numeric value.
An alternative approach is to use the following variation of the function:
Function ToNum(X as Variant) as String
ToNum = CStr(X)
End Function
Either approach will work just fine.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (9749) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Converting Numbers to Strings.
Program Successfully in Excel! John Walkenbach's name is synonymous with excellence in deciphering complex technical topics. With this comprehensive guide, "Mr. Spreadsheet" shows how to maximize your Excel experience using professional spreadsheet application development tips from his own personal bookshelf. Check out Excel 2013 Power Programming with VBA today!
Need to know the address of the cell that is currently selected? The function and macro highlighted in this tip will come ...
Discover MoreWant a quick way to speed up your macros? All you need to do is to stop Excel from updating the screen while the macro is ...
Discover MorePerhaps the most common way of communicating with programs is through the use of dialog boxes. We expect dialog boxes to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2019-08-03 06:00:59
Alex B
Using "Str" in the macro means it will error out if the cell reference you pass it contains a non-numeric value. eg aaa in the cell will result in #VALUE.
It is also unnecessary both the following options work fine without it.
Function ToNum(X As Variant) As String
ToNum = Trim(X)
End Function
And even just relying on defining ToNum as a string is enough to do the job
Function ToNum(X As Variant) As String
ToNum = X
End Function
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments