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How to convert a number to words in Excel and Google Sheets
Heads up: Excel and Google Sheets do this differently.
Excel
=SpellNumber(A2)Google Sheets
=SpellNumber(A2)Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1In Excel, open the VBA editor (Alt+F11), insert a new Module, and paste Microsoft's SpellNumber VBA code (available at support.microsoft.com).
- 2Save the workbook as .xlsm (macro-enabled) and use =SpellNumber(A2) in any cell to spell out the number.
- 3In Google Sheets, go to Extensions → Apps Script, paste a JavaScript SpellNumber function, save, and refresh — then use =SpellNumber(A2) as a custom formula.
- 4For a no-code workaround in Google Sheets, use a combined TEXT formula for simple cases like ordinals, or install an add-on that provides this function.
Tips
- The SpellNumber function is commonly used for check writing — modify the VBA or Apps Script version to output currency format like 'One Hundred Twenty-Three Dollars and 45/100'.
Need the Google Sheets version instead? Open Sheets variant in workspace →
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Frequently asked
Is there a native Excel formula that converts numbers to words?
No — Excel has no built-in SPELLNUMBER function. You must use VBA, a third-party add-in, or Power Automate for this conversion.
Can I convert numbers to words in another language?
The VBA and Apps Script solutions need to be written for each language. Community versions exist for Spanish, French, Hindi, and other languages — search for 'SpellNumber [language]'.