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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.

    On the Insert menu, 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.

    Code pasted in 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.

In the VB project dialog box, 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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