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VALUE
A easy conversion formula for turning text that looks like a number into a real numeric value.
Syntax
=VALUE(...)Step-by-step explanation
- 1Understand the job that VALUE solves before you type the formula.
- 2Build or select the cells and ranges that VALUE needs before typing it.
- 3Check the output and refine the range or criteria if needed.
Common mistakes
Using it on text that is not numeric
Forgetting to clean spaces first
Expecting it to format the cell automatically
Example table
A quick scenario to connect the syntax to the result.
| 12 | 18 |
| 8 | 42 |
Formula
=VALUE(A1:B2)
Result
42
Worked example
- 1Read the sample data first so you know what the formula needs to solve.
- 2Enter =VALUE(A1:B2) in the result cell and press Enter.
- 3Check that the output matches 42.
Practice area
Use VALUE when imported numbers are stored as text and must be calculated.
Match against the syntax block above.