7 Easy Ways To Remove Apostrophes Before Numbers In Excel

If you've ever found yourself battling with apostrophes before numbers in Excel, you're definitely not alone! It’s a common issue that many users face, especially when working with data imported from different sources. Those pesky apostrophes can be quite troublesome, often making your numbers appear as text, which can mess with calculations and data analysis. Fortunately, I’ve got you covered with seven easy methods to remove those unwanted apostrophes in Excel. Let's dive right in!

Why Are Apostrophes Appearing Before Numbers?

Before we jump into the solutions, let's understand why those apostrophes appear in the first place. Often, when data is imported from a CSV file or copied from other applications, Excel may interpret it as text. The apostrophe is Excel’s way of indicating that the entry should be treated as text and not as a numerical value. This behavior can disrupt calculations and data manipulation.

7 Easy Ways to Remove Apostrophes Before Numbers

1. Using Find and Replace

One of the quickest methods to remove apostrophes is to use the Find and Replace function. Here’s how:

1. Select the range of cells with apostrophes.
2. Press Ctrl + H to open the Find and Replace dialog.
3. In the "Find what" box, type the apostrophe (').
4. Leave the "Replace with" box empty.
5. Click on Replace All.

This method will replace all apostrophes in the selected cells, instantly converting them to numbers.

2. Multiply by 1

Another simple technique involves multiplying the cells by 1:

1. In an empty cell, type 1.
2. Copy that cell (Ctrl + C).
3. Select the range of cells with apostrophes.
4. Right-click and choose Paste Special.
5. In the Paste Special dialog, select Multiply and click OK.

This will convert the text to numbers and eliminate any leading apostrophes.

3. Using Text to Columns

The Text to Columns feature can be a lifesaver:

1. Select the column containing the apostrophes.
2. Go to the Data tab on the ribbon.
3. Click on Text to Columns.
4. Choose Delimited and click Next.
5. Click Finish.

This method effectively removes the apostrophes and converts text entries to numbers.

4. Using VALUE Function

The VALUE function can convert text entries that appear as numbers into actual numbers:

1. In a new column, use the formula =VALUE(A1) (replace A1 with your cell reference).
2. Drag the fill handle down to apply the formula to other cells.
3. Copy the resulting column and paste it as values over the original data.

This function is particularly useful if you want to keep the original data intact while converting it.

5. Using TRIM Function

If extra spaces are contributing to your issue along with apostrophes, the TRIM function can help:

1. In a new column, use the formula =TRIM(A1) (replace A1 with your cell reference).
2. Drag down to apply the formula to the necessary cells.
3. Then, use =VALUE(TRIM(A1)) to convert it to a number if needed.

The TRIM function will clean up any unnecessary spaces before converting text to numbers.

6. Formatting as Numbers

Sometimes, changing the cell format can help:

1. Select the cells with apostrophes.
2. Right-click and choose Format Cells.
3. In the Format Cells dialog, choose Number.
4. Click OK.

After changing the format, you may still need to perform one of the previous steps to finalize the conversion.

7. Using VBA Macro

If you're comfortable with VBA, a simple macro can automate the process:

Sub RemoveApostrophes()
    Dim cell As Range
    For Each cell In Selection
        If cell.HasFormula = False Then
            cell.Value = cell.Value
        End If
    Next cell
End Sub

1. Open the VBA editor with Alt + F11.
2. Insert a new module and copy the code above.
3. Run the macro after selecting the range.

This macro will strip the apostrophes from all selected cells without affecting formulas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While working with Excel, it’s easy to make some common errors that can lead to frustration. Here are a few mistakes to steer clear of:

• Forgetting to select the correct range: Make sure you highlight the cells containing the apostrophes before applying any method.
• Skipping the Paste Special step: When using multiplication or any other method, don’t forget to choose Paste Special.
• Using apostrophes when entering data manually: If you’re entering data yourself, avoid starting with an apostrophe unless you want the entry to be treated as text.

Troubleshooting Tips

If things don’t seem to work as expected, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Double-check your cell references: Ensure you are referencing the correct cells in formulas.
• Use the Error Checking Tool: Excel may alert you about numbers stored as text. Use this feature to quickly convert them back to numbers.
• Try a combination of methods: Sometimes, combining techniques can yield better results.

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why does Excel add apostrophes before numbers?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Excel adds apostrophes to indicate that the entry should be treated as text rather than a numerical value, which often occurs when importing data.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I remove apostrophes from an entire column at once?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, you can select the entire column and use methods like Find and Replace or Text to Columns to remove apostrophes quickly.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Will removing apostrophes affect my original data?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>It depends on the method. If you're using formulas or the Text to Columns feature, the original data remains intact until you choose to overwrite it.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

By implementing these seven methods, you should be well-equipped to tackle those pesky apostrophes in Excel. Whether you choose a quick Find and Replace, leverage formulas, or dive into VBA, each technique has its advantages. Remember, practice makes perfect! So take the time to experiment with these methods and see what works best for your specific needs.

<p class="pro-note">💡 Pro Tip: Keep your data tidy to avoid apostrophe issues—import data in a clean format whenever possible!</p>