Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 25, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
There are many times when writing macros that you need to convert strings to numbers. You can do this with the Val() function. This function returns the value of a string, up to the first nonnumeric character. The following are examples:
A = Val(MyString) B = Val("-12345.67") C = Val("9876") D = Val(" 4 5 2 1")
The first line converts MyString into a value, placing it in A. The second line results in B being set to —12345.67. The third places the value 9876 into C, and the final line sets D equal to 4521. Notice that spaces are ignored in the conversion; this is why the final line works the way it does. You should also note that trying to use formatted numbers in a conversion will confuse the Val() function. Thus, Val("1,234") would not return a value of 1234 (as one might hope), but a value of 1. The conversion stops at the first nonnumeric character, in this case the comma.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (12476) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Converting Strings to Numbers.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!
If you need to know whether a particular value is odd or even, you can use this simple formula. Designed to be used in a ...
Discover MoreIf you have a macro that takes a long time to process a workbook, you might want to continue working in Excel while the ...
Discover MoreSometimes a macro command line can get very, very long. This can make it hard to understand when you look at it a month ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2023-11-26 15:32:46
J. Woolley
@Fatih DEMIRCI
You have a point. Here are the Visual Basic Editor's Immediate Window results for the Tip's examples:
?CDbl("-12345.67")
-12345.67
?CDbl("9876")
9876
?CDbl(" 4 5 2 1")
Run-time error '13': Type mismatch
?CDbl("1,234")
1234
2023-11-25 21:53:53
Fatih DEMIRCI
CDbl is better than VAL function for converting decimals.
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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments