Microsoft® Excel® 2010 Formulas & Functions Inside Out

N()

Syntax. N(value)

Definition. This function returns a value converted into a number.

Arguments

• value (required). The expression (a number, text, a formula without an equal sign, a logical value, an error value, a reference, or a name) that you want to convert into a number

Background. Usually you don’t have to use the N() function, because Excel converts values automatically if a number is required. The IS() functions are an exception. To provide compatibility with other spreadsheet software, this function is still available.

The N() function converts expressions as shown in Table 11-6.

Table 11-6. Conversion Results with the N() Function

Argument (Expression)	Return Value
Number	This number
Date	Consecutive number for the date
Time	Number for the time ...