How do I convert a formula result to a text string in Excel?

You may need to convert formulas to Values in Excel if you work with a lot of dynamic or volatile formulas.

For example, if you use Excel TODAY function to insert the current date in a cell, and you leave it as a formula, it will update itself if you open the workbook the next day. If this is not what you want, then you need to convert the formula into a static value.

Convert Formulas to Values in Excel

In this tutorial, I will show you various ways to convert formulas to values in Excel.

• Using a Keyboard Shortcut.
• Using Paste Special techniques.
• Using a cool Mouse Wriggle Trick.

This is one of the easiest ways to convert formulas to values. A simple keyboard shortcut trick.

Here is how to do this:

• Select the cells for which you want to convert formulas to values.
• Copy the cells (Control + C).
• Paste as Values – Keyboard Shortcut – ALT + ESV

This would instantly convert all the formulas into static values.

Caution: When you do this, you lose all the original formulas. If you think you may need the formulas at a later stage, make a copy of the worksheet as back-up.

Using Paste Special

If you are not a keyboard shortcuts fan, you can use the paste special option that can be accessed from the ribbon in Excel.

Here are the steps to convert formulas to values using Paste Special:

• Select the cells for which you want to convert formulas to values.
• Copy the cells (Control + C).
• Go to Home –> Clipboard –> Paste –> Paste Special.

You can also access the same paste special option if you right click on the copied cell. Hover your mouse on the Paste Special option and you will all the options within it.

When it comes to speed and ease, shortcut keys are the best and to turn formulas into values the easiest way is to use a shortcut key.

All you need to do:

• Select the range of the cells where you have formulas.
• Press Ctrl + C to copy cells.

• And then, Alt + E S V.

By using this shortcut key all the formulas will be replaced with their static result value.

Note: If you don’t want to lose the original formulas then you should make a backup file.

2. Using Paste Special for Converting to Values

If you don’t like to use a shortcut key then you can simply use the paste special option to replace it.

• First of all, select your date range or the entire column.
• And then, right-click and copy it.
• Go to Home Tab ➜ Clipboard ➜ Paste ➜ Paste Special.

• Or, you can also press right-click and go to Paste Special -> Values.

This method just works like the shortcut key method to replace all the formulas with their static result values.

3. Using Right-Click Menu

And if you don’t want to use paste special then you can use the right-click drag-drop method for this conversion. Here are the steps:

1. First of all, select the range of the cells where you have formulas.
2. Now, right-click on the edge of the selection.
3. And by holding the right-click, drag the range to the right side and instantly bring it back to the original place and drop it.
4. Here you will get the options menu.
5. From this options menu, select “Copy Here as Values Only”.

This will instantly convert all the formulas from those cells into static result values.

4. Convert Formulas into Values with a VBA Code

If you want to automatically convert all the formulas into text or numeric values then you can use VBA for that. Here I have mentioned a simple VBA code where you just need to select the range of the cells and run this macro.

Sub ConvertToValues()

Dim MyRange As Range
Dim MyCell As Range

Select Case

MsgBox("You Can't Undo This Action. " & _
"Save Workbook First?", _
vbYesNoCancel, "Alert")
Case Is = vbYes
ThisWorkbook.Save
Case Is = vbCancel
Exit Sub

End Select

Set MyRange = Selection

For Each MyCell In MyRange
If MyCell.HasFormula Then
MyCell.Formula = MyCell.Value
End If
Next MyCell

End Sub

Related: Excel VBA Tutorial

5. Convert To Values Inside the Formula

Let’s think differently. You have a complex formula which is a combination of two or three functions. Here you have a long formula to clean a text value and then convert it into the proper case.

Now if you want to convert the result of two substitute functions into static text values, here are the steps.

1. Edit the formula using F2.
2. Select only that part of the formula which you need to convert to a static value.
3. Press F9.

Now you just have a text value to convert into the proper text case.

6. Get Formula’s Result Value with Power Query

There could be a situation when you need to get the result value of a formula in a separate cell instead of simply converting them. And in that case, you can use a power query.

You need to convert it into values before sending it to your customer. But the thing is you don’t want to lose all the formulas. So here are the simple steps to get values from formulas using power query.

• Select the table and go to Data Tab ➜ Get & Transformation ➜ From Table.

• It will open your table into the power query editor.

• From here, just click on “Close & Load”.

• Now the power query will insert a new table in a new sheet where you have price values instead of formulas.

The best part is when you make any changes in your formula table you just need to refresh the power query table. By using this way you don’t need to copy-paste data every time.

Related: Excel Power Query Tutorial

Conclusion

Sometimes using complex and large formulas make your workbook heavy in size, so it’s better to convert them into absolute values before sharing them with others.

And all the methods which we have discussed above can help you in different situations. If you ask me, my favorite one is the keyboard shortcut but I also like to use power query sometimes.

I hope you found this tip useful, but now, tell me one thing.

What’s your favorite one? Do you have any other method which you use while converting formulas into values?

Please share with me in the comment section, I’d love to hear from you and don’t forget to share this tip with your friends, I’m sure they will appreciate it.

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