Spreadsheet Practice

How to convert numbers with comma decimals to real numbers in Excel

Formula (Excel and Google Sheets)

=VALUE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".",""),",","."))

Remove the dot thousands separators, turn the comma into a dot, then convert: =VALUE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".",""),",",".")).

Result on the example
one result per row in B2, filled down to B6
Works in
Every current version
Google Sheets
Same formula

See it work

The formula is already in B2, filled down to B6. Change any input and the result updates, or edit the formula to experiment.

How it works

In "1.250,75" the dot separates thousands and the comma marks the decimals, the reverse of US settings. The inner SUBSTITUTE removes the dots ("1250,75"), the outer one turns the comma into a decimal point ("1250.75"), and VALUE reads that as a number. The order matters: swapping the comma first would create a second dot.

=VALUE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".",""),",","."))

Result1250.75

  1. A2"1.250,75"

    The value in A2.

  2. SUBSTITUTE(A2,".","")"1250,75"

    SUBSTITUTE: Replaces matching text.

    • textA2"1.250,75"
    • old_text"."
    • new_text""
  3. SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".",""),",",".")"1250.75"

    SUBSTITUTE: Replaces matching text.

    • textSUBSTITUTE(A2,".","")"1250,75"
    • old_text","
    • new_text"."
  4. VALUE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".",""),",","."))1250.75

    VALUE: Converts text that looks like a number into a number.

    • textSUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".",""),",",".")"1250.75"

In Google Sheets

The same formula works in Google Sheets: =VALUE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".",""),",",".")). We ran it in Google Sheets mode on the same data and it returns the same results.

Other ways to do it

Each one was run on the same example sheet.

FormulaResultWhen to use it
=--SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,".",""),",",".")1,250.75, 980.5, 12,000…The double minus converts like VALUE.

Common mistakes

  • NUMBERVALUE does this in one step with the separators as arguments: =NUMBERVALUE(A2,",","."), and it doesn't depend on your computer's settings.
  • On a computer set to European formats, VALUE already reads "1.250,75" correctly, and this formula would break it. Check one value first.
  • "12.000" could mean twelve or twelve thousand. Make sure the whole column uses the same convention.

Try it yourself

Same data, empty answer cell. Your formula is graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data, so a typed-in number won't pass.

Convert numbers with comma decimals to real numbers

In B2, convert the European-format amount (dot for thousands, comma for decimals) to a real number, and fill down to B6.

Questions

How do I convert the other way, to European format text?

Use TEXT and swap the separators: =SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(TEXT(A2,"#,##0.00"),",","#"),".",","),"#",".").

Does this work in Google Sheets?

Yes, in a spreadsheet with US settings. Otherwise change the locale in File > Settings.

Checked by running on 2026-10-30: every formula and result on this page was calculated by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine, in both Excel and Google Sheets modes.