How To Pull Numbers From Text In Excel

Extracting numbers from textual data in Excel can often be a complex task, involving a range of functions and formulas. Users may need to parse numbers from strings for various data analysis purposes.

Guided steps will demonstrate how to use built-in Excel features to achieve this, detailing functions such as TEXTTOCOLUMNS and various string manipulation techniques.

This article will also explore how Sourcetable offers a more user-friendly approach to extracting numbers from text, streamlining the process compared to Excel's manual functions.

How to Pull Numbers from Text in Excel

Using Excel Functions

Excel 2016 offers the TEXTJOIN and CONCAT functions to assemble strings, which can include extracting numbers from text. Use the formula =TEXTJOIN("",TRUE,IFERROR((MID(text,ROW(INDIRECT("1:"&LEN(text))),1)*1),"")) to target numbers in any position within a string. Alternatively, explore the MID, LEFT, RIGHT, VALUE, and SUBSTITUTE functions for targeted extraction from string beginnings, endings, or specific locations. These methods require knowledge of string structure and can retrieve both numerical and textual segments effectively.

Flash Fill and Power Query

For pattern-based extraction, employ Flash Fill, a dynamic tool that identifies and extracts numbers according to exemplified user input. Additionally, Power Query, accessible in Excel Tables through the Split Column option, separates text and numbers by identifying transitions from non-digits to digits.

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

VBA provides the flexibility for users of all Excel versions to write custom scripts that extract numerical values from strings. This powerful method is particularly useful in complex or non-standard text structures where typical functions might not suffice.

Using Regular Expressions with Add-ins

The Ultimate Suite for Excel includes a regular expression tool. Utilize the powerful regular expression syntax to extract numbers via formulas such as =SUBSTITUTE(TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE, RegExpExtract(ref, "[0-9]+")),"#",""), where 'ref' is the cell reference. This solution is ideal for advanced text parsing.

Specialized Text Functions in Excel 365

Excel 365 users may apply the TEXTBEFORE, TEXTAFTER, SEARCH, and REGEXTRACT functions for their nuanced capabilities in extracting numbers situated within specific contexts or patterns within a string.

Excel vs Sourcetable: Modern Data Management Showdown

Sourcetable streamlines data management by syncing data from over 100 business applications into a centralized interface. Unlike Excel, which requires additional tools to achieve similar connectivity, Sourcetable's integration allows for efficient data analysis without the need for expertise in data manipulation.

Featuring a spreadsheet-like interface, Sourcetable provides a familiar environment for Excel users while offering enhanced capabilities for business intelligence. This includes the ability to build live models that update automatically, a benefit not native to Excel.

Sourcetable's AI copilot stands out by assisting users in creating complex formulas and templates via a simple chat interface. In contrast, Excel, despite its vast library of functions, lacks this modern conversational AI support, placing a greater emphasis on user proficiency.

While Excel excels at intricate data analysis and complex calculations, Sourcetable is optimized for real-time collaboration and interactive reporting, making it a more efficient choice for growth teams and businesses seeking an agile BI solution.

Sourcetable's no-code platform is designed to be accessible to teams with varying technical skills. The ability to publish and share interactive reports seamlessly contrasts with Excel's more traditional file-sharing approach, fostering more dynamic data collaboration.

Streamline Excel Data Extraction with Sourcetable

Pulling numbers from text in Excel can be complex. Sourcetable simplifies this by being an intuitive spreadsheet that leverages AI to effortlessly answer queries about your data. Its seamless integration with third-party tools enables real-time data access.

Sourcetable empowers teams with an accessible interface, making collaboration straightforward. Automate spreadsheets, generate reports with ease, and get clear answers to formula-related questions, all in one place. Choose Sourcetable for a hassle-free data management experience.

Try Sourcetable now and transform the way you interact with your data.