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Convert numbers into words

Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, Excel 2016

Excel doesn’t have a default function that displays numbers as English words in a worksheet, but you can add this capability by
pasting the following SpellNumber function code into a VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) module. This function lets you
convert dollar and cent amounts to words with a formula, so 22.50 would read as Twenty-Two Dollars and Fifty Cents. This can
be very useful if you're using Excel as a template to print checks.

If you want to convert numeric values to text format without displaying them as words, use the TEXT function instead.

Note: Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This
includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes
that you are familiar with the VBA programming language, and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures.
Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure. However, they will not modify these
examples to provide added functionality, or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements.

Create the SpellNumber function to convert numbers to words

1. Use the keyboard shortcut, Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor (VBE).

Note: You can also access the Visual Basic Editor by showing the Developer tab in your ribbon.

2. Click the Insert tab, and click Module.

3. Copy the following lines of code.

Note: Known as a User Defined Function (UDF), this code automates the task of converting numbers to text
throughout your worksheet.

Option Explicit
'Main Function

Function SpellNumber(ByVal MyNumber)

Dim Dollars, Cents, Temp

Dim DecimalPlace, Count

ReDim Place(9) As String

Place(2) = " Thousand "

Place(3) = " Million "

Place(4) = " Billion "

Place(5) = " Trillion "

' String representation of amount.

MyNumber = Trim(Str(MyNumber))

' Position of decimal place 0 if none.

DecimalPlace = InStr(MyNumber, ".")

' Convert cents and set MyNumber to dollar amount.

If DecimalPlace > 0 Then

Cents = GetTens(Left(Mid(MyNumber, DecimalPlace + 1) & _ "00", 2))

MyNumber = Trim(Left(MyNumber, DecimalPlace - 1))

End If

Count = 1

Do While MyNumber <> ""

Temp = GetHundreds(Right(MyNumber, 3))

If Temp <> "" Then Dollars = Temp & Place(Count) & Dollars

If Len(MyNumber) > 3 Then

MyNumber = Left(MyNumber, Len(MyNumber) - 3)

Else

MyNumber = ""

End If

Count = Count + 1

Loop

Select Case Dollars

Case ""

Dollars = "No Dollars"

Case "One"

Dollars = "One Dollar"

Case Else

Dollars = Dollars & " Dollars"

End Select

Select Case Cents

Case ""

Cents = " and No Cents"

Case "One"

Cents = " and One Cent"

Case Else

Cents = " and " & Cents & " Cents"

End Select

SpellNumber = Dollars & Cents

End Function

' Converts a number from 100-999 into text

Function GetHundreds(ByVal MyNumber)

Dim Result As String

If Val(MyNumber) = 0 Then Exit Function

MyNumber = Right("000" & MyNumber, 3)

' Convert the hundreds place.

If Mid(MyNumber, 1, 1) <> "0" Then

Result = GetDigit(Mid(MyNumber, 1, 1)) & " Hundred "

End If

' Convert the tens and ones place.

If Mid(MyNumber, 2, 1) <> "0" Then

Result = Result & GetTens(Mid(MyNumber, 2))

Else

Result = Result & GetDigit(Mid(MyNumber, 3))

End If

GetHundreds = Result

End Function

' Converts a number from 10 to 99 into text.

Function GetTens(TensText)
Dim Result As String

Result = "" ' Null out the temporary function value.

If Val(Left(TensText, 1)) = 1 Then ' If value between 10-19...

Select Case Val(TensText)

Case 10: Result = "Ten"

Case 11: Result = "Eleven"

Case 12: Result = "Twelve"

Case 13: Result = "Thirteen"

Case 14: Result = "Fourteen"

Case 15: Result = "Fifteen"

Case 16: Result = "Sixteen"

Case 17: Result = "Seventeen"

Case 18: Result = "Eighteen"

Case 19: Result = "Nineteen"

Case Else

End Select

Else ' If value between 20-99...

Select Case Val(Left(TensText, 1))

Case 2: Result = "Twenty "

Case 3: Result = "Thirty "

Case 4: Result = "Forty "

Case 5: Result = "Fifty "

Case 6: Result = "Sixty "

Case 7: Result = "Seventy "

Case 8: Result = "Eighty "

Case 9: Result = "Ninety "

Case Else

End Select

Result = Result & GetDigit _

(Right(TensText, 1)) ' Retrieve ones place.

End If

GetTens = Result

End Function
 ' Converts a number from 1 to 9 into text.

Function GetDigit(Digit)

Select Case Val(Digit)

Case 1: GetDigit = "One"

Case 2: GetDigit = "Two"

Case 3: GetDigit = "Three"

Case 4: GetDigit = "Four"

Case 5: GetDigit = "Five"

Case 6: GetDigit = "Six"

Case 7: GetDigit = "Seven"

Case 8: GetDigit = "Eight"

Case 9: GetDigit = "Nine"

Case Else: GetDigit = ""

End Select

End Function

4. Paste the lines of code into the Module1 (Code) box.

5. Press Alt + Q to return to Excel. The SpellNumber function is now ready to use.
 Note: This function works only for the current workbook. To use this function in another workbook, you must repeat
the steps to copy and paste the code in that workbook.

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Use the SpellNumber function in individual cells

1. Type the formula =SpellNumber(A1) into the cell where you want to display a written number, where A1 is the cell
containing the number you want to convert. You can also manually type the value like =SpellNumber(22.50).

2. Press Enter to confirm the formula.

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Save your SpellNumber function workbook

Excel cannot save a workbook with macro functions in the standard macro-free workbook format (.xlsx). If you click File > Save.
A VB project dialog box opens. Click No.

You can save your file as an Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm) to keep your file in its current format.

1. Click File > Save As.

2. Click the Save as type drop-down menu, and select Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook.

3. Click Save.

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See Also
TEXT function
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