TEXT converts a number or date into text in the format you choose. It is how you control the look of a value inside a sentence.
Syntax
=TEXT(value, format_text)
Dates
=TEXT(A2, "dd-mmm-yyyy") gives 05-Nov-2026=TEXT(A2, "mmmm") gives the full month name=TEXT(A2, "dddd") gives the day name, such as Thursday=TEXT(A2, "mmm-yy") gives Nov-26
Numbers
=TEXT(1234.5, "#,##0.00") gives 1,234.50=TEXT(0.256, "0.0%") gives 25.6%=TEXT(7, "000") gives 007 (leading zeros)
Use inside a sentence
="Report for "&TEXT(A2, "mmmm yyyy") returns "Report for November 2026". Without TEXT, the date would show as a raw serial number.
Important
- The result is text, so you cannot calculate with it directly.
- Format codes depend on the language settings of your Excel.
- For display only, the Format Cells dialog is usually better. Use TEXT when the format must be part of a formula.
Worked example
A2 holds the date 5-Oct-2026. =TEXT(A2,"dd mmm yyyy") returns "05 Oct 2026". =TEXT(A2,"dddd") returns the day name. =TEXT(1234.5,"#,##0.00") returns "1,234.50".
Common mistakes
- Treating the result as a number. TEXT returns text.
- Using month "mm" when you mean minutes.
- Format codes depend on your regional settings in some languages.
Frequently asked questions
How do I show leading zeros?
=TEXT(A2,"00000").
Why can I not sum TEXT results?
They are text. Keep the original numbers for calculations.
How do I show a percentage?
=TEXT(A2,"0.0%").
Practice this online, free
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Practice these formulas: TEXT, CONCAT, VALUE.
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