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How to restrict cell input to numbers only in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=ISNUMBER(A2)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Input | Validation Result |
| 123 | =ISNUMBER(A2) |
| abc | =ISNUMBER(A3) |
| 45.67 | =ISNUMBER(A4) |
=ISNUMBER(A2)→TRUE
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Step by step
- 1Select the cell or range of cells where you want to restrict input to numbers.
- 2In Excel, go to Data > Data Tools > Data Validation. In Google Sheets, click Data > Data validation.
- 3Set the criteria to 'Number'.
- 4Choose the condition type such as 'is number', 'is greater than', etc., based on your needs.
- 5Click OK to apply the restriction.
Tips
- Ensure that the range you select covers all cells needing numeric input.
- In Excel, remember that dates are stored as serial numbers, so they will also pass the 'is number' check.
- Test the validation by entering different types of data to confirm it works as expected.
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Frequently asked
Can I restrict input to integers only?
Yes, in the Data Validation settings, choose 'Whole number' instead of 'Number'.
What happens if someone tries to enter invalid data?
A warning message will appear, preventing the entry of invalid data.
Is this feature available in older versions of Excel?
Data Validation is available in most versions of Excel, but features may vary slightly.