# NUMBERVALUE function in Excel

> NUMBERVALUE converts text that looks like a number into a real number, using the decimal and thousands separators you name rather than your computer's settings.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/functions/numbervalue · Updated October 28, 2026 · Formulas and results on this page were run by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on October 30, 2026

## Quick answer

- **What it does:** NUMBERVALUE converts text that looks like a number into a real number, using the decimal and thousands separators you name rather than your computer's settings.
- **Syntax:** `=NUMBERVALUE(text, [decimal_separator], [group_separator])`
- **Most common use:** `=NUMBERVALUE(A2,",",".")` returns 1234.56 (Comma for decimals, period for thousands: 1234.56)
- **Available in:** Excel 2013 and later
- **Category:** [Text functions](https://spreadsheetpractice.com/functions/category/text)
- **Returns:** A number; #VALUE! if the text can't be read with those separators.

## What it does

NUMBERVALUE converts text that looks like a number into a real number, using the decimal and thousands separators you name rather than your computer's settings. Use it on data exported from another country, such as "1.234,56", or on numbers that arrive as text with spaces or a trailing percent sign.

## Syntax

`=NUMBERVALUE(text, [decimal_separator], [group_separator])`

| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| `text` | Required | The text to convert. |
| `decimal_separator` | Optional | Optional: the character used for decimals in the text; a period if omitted. |
| `group_separator` | Optional | Optional: the character used for thousands; a comma if omitted. |

## Examples

Each result was calculated by running the formula on the sample sheet.

| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| B2 | `=NUMBERVALUE(A2,",",".")` | 1234.56 | Comma for decimals, period for thousands: 1234.56 |
| B3 | `=NUMBERVALUE(A3)` | 12500 | Spaces are ignored: 12500 |
| B4 | `=NUMBERVALUE(A4,",",".")` | 0.075 | A trailing % divides by 100: 0.075 |

### The sample sheet

Every formula above runs on this data:

|  | A | B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imported | Result |
| 2 | 1.234,56 | 1234.56 |
| 3 | 12 500 | 12500 |
| 4 | 7,5% | 0.075 |

## Common mistakes

| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| #VALUE! | The decimal separator appears twice, or a thousands separator appears after the decimal. Check which character the source used for each. |
| The number is 1,000 times off | The separators are swapped. For "1.234,56" the decimal is "," and the thousands separator is ".". |
| Currency symbols | NUMBERVALUE doesn't strip symbols like $ or €. Remove them first with SUBSTITUTE. |

## Tips

- Spaces anywhere in the text are ignored, so numbers like "12 500" convert directly.

## Related functions

- [VALUE](https://spreadsheetpractice.com/functions/value): VALUE converts text that looks like a number into a real number Excel can add, average and compare.
- [SUBSTITUTE](https://spreadsheetpractice.com/functions/substitute): SUBSTITUTE replaces specific text with new text everywhere it appears, or only at the occurrence you choose.
- [TEXT](https://spreadsheetpractice.com/functions/text): TEXT turns a number or date into text in the format you choose, such as "$1,250.00" or "March 2026".

## Questions

### How do I convert European number formats in Excel?

=NUMBERVALUE(A2,",",".") reads "1.234,56" as 1234.56, whatever your own regional settings.

### What is the difference between VALUE and NUMBERVALUE?

VALUE uses your computer's regional settings; NUMBERVALUE uses the separators you give it, so it works the same everywhere.

## Practice

A graded NUMBERVALUE exercise ("Convert European prices") is on [the NUMBERVALUE page](https://spreadsheetpractice.com/functions/numbervalue). It is checked instantly, then re-checked on changed data.

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