How to convert scientific notation to text or numbers in Excel
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Excel may display large numbers in scientific notation, especially when a column is not wide enough to show the complete value. Depending on what you need, you can display the value as a normal number, convert it to text, or enter it as text from the beginning to preserve every digit. This article introduces four methods.
📝 Note:
Excel stores only 15 significant digits in a numeric value. If a number longer than 15 digits has already been entered as a number, digits after the 15th may have been replaced with zeros and cannot be restored by changing the format or converting the value to text. To preserve identifiers longer than 15 digits, format the cells as Text or type an apostrophe before entering the values.
Comparison of methods for converting scientific notation
| Method | Result | Best for | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add an apostrophe | Stores the entry as text | New identifiers longer than 15 digits | Must be done before entering the number |
| Format Cells | Displays the existing value as a normal number | Changing the appearance without changing the stored value | Does not restore digits already lost |
| TEXT formula | Returns the existing numeric value as text | Keeping the original data and creating a text result | Requires a helper column |
| Kutools for Excel | Converts selected numbers to text in place | Converting a selected range without formulas | Requires Kutools for Excel |
Prevent scientific notation by adding an apostrophe
Before entering a long number, type an apostrophe (') first. Excel will store the entry as text and will not display it in scientific notation.
- Type an apostrophe before the number, such as '123456789012345678, and press Enter. The apostrophe is not displayed in the cell.
Display scientific notation as normal numbers with Format Cells
If you have many existing numbers displayed in scientific notation, you can change their number format with the Format Cells feature.
- Select the data range that you want to display as normal numbers.
- Right-click the selection and choose Format Cells from the context menu.
- In the Format Cells dialog box, under the Number tab, select Custom from the Category list, and enter 0 in the Type box.
- Click OK. The selected values are now displayed as normal numbers instead of scientific notation.
📝 Note:
This method changes only how the values are displayed. The cells remain numeric, and any digits already lost because of Excel's 15-digit precision limit cannot be recovered.
Convert scientific notation to text with a formula
The TEXT function can convert an existing numeric value into text and display it without scientific notation.
- In a blank cell, such as B1, enter the following formula:
=TEXT(A1,"0")Here, A1 contains the number displayed in scientific notation.
- Drag the fill handle down over the cells where you want to apply the formula.
📝 Note:
The formula converts the stored value to text; it cannot recover digits that Excel has already replaced after the 15th significant digit.
Convert scientific notation to text with Kutools for Excel
If you have installed Kutools for Excel, you can use the Convert between Text and Number feature to convert the selected values to text in place.
After installing Kutools for Excel, follow these steps:
- Select the data range that you want to convert.
- Click Kutools > Content > Convert between Text and Number.
- In the Convert between Text and Number dialog box, select Number to text, and then click OK or Apply. The selected numbers are converted to text in the original range.
📝 Note:
If a number contains more than 15 digits, format the destination cells as Text before entering or pasting it, or type an apostrophe before the number. Converting a value after it has been stored as a number cannot restore digits that have already been lost.
Learn more about the Convert between Text and Number feature.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does Excel display my number in scientific notation?
Excel may use scientific notation when a number is large or when the column is too narrow to show it in full. Widening the column may be enough for shorter values; otherwise, apply an appropriate number format.
Can I recover digits after the 15th digit?
No. If Excel has already stored the entry as a number, digits after the 15th significant digit may have been replaced with zeros. You must re-enter or re-import the original value as text.
Should long IDs be stored as numbers or text?
Store identifiers such as credit card numbers, tracking numbers, and account IDs as text. They are not used in calculations and may contain more than 15 digits or leading zeros.
Why does changing the format to Text not fix an existing value?
Changing a cell's format does not rewrite the value already stored in that cell. Apply the Text format before entering the value, or convert an existing numeric value with the TEXT formula or Kutools.
Demo: Convert scientific notation with Format Cells
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