Turn raw data into readable reports with Excel's TEXT Function
Do you wish to have a nice date format like "June 2025" or numbers showing currency symbol, percentages, or leading zeroes in your Excel report? Say hello to the versatile TEXT function, your go-to once-and-for-all Excel formatting function that controls how numbers and dates appear in your spreadsheet without affecting the underlying data. With Microsoft Excel's TEXT function, you'll be able to quickly make reports readable, consistent, and well-formatted.
What Is the TEXT Function in Excel?
The TEXT FUNCTION converts a number or date into a text string in the format you specify.
Syntax:
=TEXT (value, format_text)
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value: The number or date that has to be formatted
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format_text: The format pattern you want to apply
🛠️ Examples of Application of TEXT Function
1. Format Date as Month Year
=TEXT(A1, "mmmm yyyy")
Input: 6/23/2025 -> Output: June 2025
2. Format Numbers with Dollar Saree
=TEXT(B1, "$#,##0.00")
Input: 1234.5 -> Output: $1,234.50
3. Format Percentages to One Decimal Place
=TEXT(C1, "0.0%")
Input: 0.752 -> Output: 75.2%
4. Format IDs with Leading Zeros
=TEXT(D1, "00000")
Input: 123 → Output: 00123
📘 Common Format Codes
- Date: dd/mm/yyyy , mmm-yy , dddd
- Time: hh:mm:ss AM/PM
- Currency: $#,##0.00 , ₹#,##0.00
- General Numbers: #,##0 , 0.00 , 00000
- Percent: 0.00%
🔁Using TEXT With Other Functions in Excel
The TEXT function works well inside bigger formulas. For example:
="As of " & TEXT(TODAY(), "dddd, mmmm dd, yyyy")
The display would be: As of Monday, June 23, 2025
✅ Why Use TEXT Instead of Cell Formatting?
- Dynamic formatting within formulas
- Merging numbers/dates with customized text output
- Creates dashboards, reports, and automated emails conveniently
- Guarantees consistent formatting across workbooks
💡Pro Tips
- Always enclose your format inside double-quotes
- TEXT function will convert numbers into text so avoid using math operations
- Use & or CONCAT() to join your formatted text with labels
It is this TEXT function that could build really beautiful, professional, and well-ready Excel sheets. With the proper format code, you can control how your data looks and impress clients, managers, or coworkers along the way.
Start using it today and witness perfectly formatted data in action!
🎓 Learn More with Other Levels
Take your Excel skills to the next level:
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🌐 Visit our Other Levels Website
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📺 Watch free tutorials on our Other Levels YouTube Channel, and learn Microsoft Excel from beginner to advanced.
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