CONVERT

Microsoft Office Excel 2003

See Also

Converts a number from one measurement system to another. For example, CONVERT can translate a table of distances in miles to a table of distances in kilometers.

If this function is not available, and returns the #NAME? error, install and load the Analysis ToolPak add-in.

ShowHow?

  1. On the Tools menu, click Add-Ins.
  2. In the Add-Ins available list, select the Analysis ToolPak box, and then click OK.
  3. If necessary, follow the instructions in the setup program.

Syntax

CONVERT(number,from_unit,to_unit)

Number    is the value in from_units to convert.

From_unit    is the units for number.

To_unit    is the units for the result. CONVERT accepts the following text values (in quotation marks) for from_unit and to_unit.

Weight and mass From_unit or to_unit
Gram "g"
Slug "sg"
Pound mass (avoirdupois) "lbm"
U (atomic mass unit) "u"
Ounce mass (avoirdupois) "ozm"
Distance From_unit or to_unit
Meter "m"
Statute mile "mi"
Nautical mile "Nmi"
Inch "in"
Foot "ft"
Yard "yd"
Angstrom "ang"
Pica (1/72 in.) "Pica"

Time From_unit or to_unit
Year "yr"
Day "day"
Hour "hr"
Minute "mn"
Second "sec"

Pressure From_unit or to_unit
Pascal "Pa"
Atmosphere "atm"
mm of Mercury "mmHg"

Force From_unit or to_unit
Newton "N"
Dyne "dyn"
Pound force "lbf"

Energy From_unit or to_unit
Joule "J"
Erg "e"
Thermodynamic calorie "c"
IT calorie "cal"
Electron volt "eV"
Horsepower-hour "HPh"
Watt-hour "Wh"
Foot-pound "flb"
BTU "BTU"

Power From_unit or to_unit
Horsepower "HP"
Watt "W"

Magnetism From_unit or to_unit
Tesla "T"
Gauss "ga"

Temperature From_unit or to_unit
Degree Celsius "C"
Degree Fahrenheit "F"
Degree Kelvin "K"

Liquid measure From_unit or to_unit
Teaspoon "tsp"
Tablespoon "tbs"
Fluid ounce "oz"
Cup "cup"
U.S. pint "pt"
U.K. pint "uk_pt"
Quart "qt"
Gallon "gal"
Liter "l"

The following abbreviated unit prefixes can be prepended to any metric from_unit or to_unit.

Prefix Multiplier Abbreviation
exa 1E+18 "E"
peta 1E+15 "P"
tera 1E+12 "T"
giga 1E+09 "G"
mega 1E+06 "M"
kilo 1E+03 "k"
hecto 1E+02 "h"
dekao 1E+01 "e"
deci 1E-01 "d"
centi 1E-02 "c"
milli 1E-03 "m"
micro 1E-06 "u"
nano 1E-09 "n"
pico 1E-12 "p"
femto 1E-15 "f"
atto 1E-18 "a"

Remarks

  • If the input data types are incorrect, CONVERT returns the #VALUE! error value.
  • If the unit does not exist, CONVERT returns the #N/A error value.
  • If the unit does not support an abbreviated unit prefix, CONVERT returns the #N/A error value.
  • If the units are in different groups, CONVERT returns the #N/A error value.
  • Unit names and prefixes are case-sensitive.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

Show How?

  1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
  2. Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

    Selecting an example from Help

    Selecting an example from Help

  3. Press CTRL+C.
  4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
  5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.
 
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Formula Description (Result)
=CONVERT(1.0, "lbm", "kg") Converts 1 pound mass to kilograms (0.453592)
=CONVERT(68, "F", "C") Converts 68 degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius (20)
=CONVERT(2.5, "ft", "sec") Data types are not the same so an error is returned (#N/A)
=CONVERT(CONVERT(100,"ft","m"),"ft","m") Converts 100 square feet into square meters (9.290304).