Written and reviewed by FormulaCraft Team. Each formula on this page is run through our verification engine before publishing.
Last reviewed:
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
Edit the grid or formula, then run it through a real spreadsheet engine — no signup.
Sample data — click any cell to edit
Runs server-side · free · no signup
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 it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
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]'.