Excel column letters are numbers

This Excel tutorial explains how to change column headings from numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) back to letters (A, B, C, D) in Excel 2016 (with screenshots and step-by-step instructions).

Question: In Microsoft Excel 2016, my Excel spreadsheet has numbers for both rows and columns. How do I change the column headings back to letters such as A, B, C, D?

Answer: Traditionally, column headings are represented by letters such as A, B, C, D. If your spreadsheet shows the columns as numbers, you can change the headings back to letters with a few easy steps.

In the example below, the column headings are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 instead of the traditional A, B, C, D values that you normally see in Excel. When the column headings are numeric values, R1C1 reference style is being displayed in the spreadsheet.

To change the column headings to letters, select the File tab in the toolbar at the top of the screen and then click on Options at the bottom of the menu.

When the Excel Options window appears, click on the Formulas option on the left. Then uncheck the option called «R1C1 reference style» and click on the OK button.

Now when you return to your spreadsheet, the column headings should be letters (A, B, C, D) instead of numbers (1, 2, 3, 4).

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Excel has an option for showing column letters instead of number. This can be useful, for example, when you work with VBA macros or when you have to count columns (e.g. VLOOKUP). But in most cases, you would prefer letters. In this article we learn how to change column numbers to letters and the other way around in Excel.

Effect of numbers instead of letters in column headings

If you see numbers instead of letters for the column headings, you will also notice the following effect: All cell references are replaced by numbers. This style is called R1C1 reference style. 

Instead of ‘=$A$2’, you will find ‘=R1C2’ for row 1 and column 2. If we remove the dollar signs, this formula might look completely different as it will always show the distance from the current cell.

Steps for changing from column letters to numbers

You can switch from column letters to numbers quite easily in Excel (the following numbers are referring to the picture above):

1. Go To File and click on Options. 
2. Select Formulas on the left hand side.
3. Tick “R1C1 reference style”.

Switching back from numbers to letters works the same way. Only in the last step, you have to remove the tick from “R1C1 reference style”.

Please note that all references within formulas will be replaced by numbers.

Henrik Schiffner is a freelance business consultant and software developer. He lives and works in Hamburg, Germany. Besides being an Excel enthusiast he loves photography and sports.

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Earlier, we learnt how to convert the column number to the letter. But how do we convert column letter to number in excel? In this article, we learn to convert excel column to number.

So we have a function named COLUMN that returns the column number of supplied reference. We will use the COLUMN function with INDIRECT function to get the column number from a given column letter.
Generic Formula to convert letters to numbers in excel

Col_letter: it is the reference of the column letter of which you want to get column number.
Var2:

Let’s see an example to make things clear.
Example: Create an excel column letter to number converter
Here we have some column letters in B2:B5. We want to get corresponding column number (1, 2, 3, etc.) from that given letter (A, B, C, etc.).

Apply the above generic formula here to get column number of a given letter.

Copy it down. You will have the column number of the given column letter in B2:B5.

How does it work?
Well, it is very simple. The idea is to get the first cell’s reference from the given column number. And then use COLUMN function to get the column number of a given column letter.
Here, INDIRECT(B2&»1″) translates to INDIRECT(“A1″). This then gives us the cell reference of A1.
Eventually, we get COLUMN(A1), which then returns the column number of a given column letter.

 
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My column headings are labeled with numbers instead of letters

1. On the Excel menu, click Preferences.
2. Under Authoring, click General .
3. Clear the Use R1C1 reference style check box. The column headings now show A, B, and C, instead of 1, 2, 3, and so on.

Change numbers with text format to number format in Excel for the…

1. Select the cells that have the data you want to reformat.
2. Click Number Format > Number. Tip: You can tell a number is formatted as text if it’s left-aligned in a cell.

How do I show column numbers in Excel?

Show column number

1. Click File tab > Options.
2. In the Excel Options dialog box, select Formulas and check R1C1 reference style.
3. Click OK.

How do I convert text to values in Excel?

Use the Format Cells option to convert number to text in Excel

1. Select the range with the numeric values you want to format as text.
2. Right click on them and pick the Format Cells… option from the menu list. Tip. You can display the Format Cells…
3. On the Format Cells window select Text under the Number tab and click OK.

How do I convert a column of numbers to column names in Excel?

To convert a column number to an Excel column letter (e.g. A, B, C, etc.) you can use a formula based on the ADDRESS and SUBSTITUTE functions. With this information, ADDRESS returns the text “A1”.

How do I change the number format in Excel?

You can use the Format Cells dialog to find the other available format codes:

1. Press Ctrl+1 ( +1 on the Mac) to bring up the Format Cells dialog.
2. Select the format you want from the Number tab.
3. Select the Custom option,
4. The format code you want is now shown in the Type box.

Why does Excel have numbers for columns?

Cause: The default cell reference style (A1), which refers to columns as letters and refers to rows as numbers, was changed. Solution: Clear the R1C1 reference style selection in Excel preferences. On the Excel menu, click Preferences.The column headings now show A, B, and C, instead of 1, 2, 3, and so on.

How do I show columns and row numbers in Excel?

On the Ribbon, click the Page Layout tab. In the Sheet Options group, under Headings, select the Print check box. , and then under Print, select the Row and column headings check box .

How do I get columns and row numbers in Excel?

It is quite easy to figure out the row number or column number if you know a cell’s address. If the cell address is NK60, it shows the row number is 60; and you can get the column with the formula of =Column(NK60). Of course you can get the row number with formula of =Row(NK60).

How do I get row numbers in Excel?

Use the ROW function to number rows

1. In the first cell of the range that you want to number, type =ROW(A1). The ROW function returns the number of the row that you reference. For example, =ROW(A1) returns the number 1.
2. Drag the fill handle. across the range that you want to fill.

How do I format numbers in Excel?

Formatting the Numbers in an Excel Text String

1. Right-click any cell and select Format Cell.
2. On the Number format tab, select the formatting you need.
3. Select Custom from the Category list on the left of the Number Format dialog box.
4. Copy the syntax found in the Type input box.

What are the different ways in formatting numbers?

How to change number formats. You can select standard number formats (General, Number, Currency, Accounting, Short Date, Long Date, Time, Percentage, Fraction, Scientific, Text) on the home tab of the ribbon using the Number Format menu. Note: As you enter data, Excel will sometimes change number formats automatically.

How do I change the column title in Excel?

Select a column, and then select Transform > Rename. You can also double-click the column header. Enter the new name.

How do I change rows and column names in Excel?

Rename columns and rows in a worksheet

1. Click the row or column header you want to rename.
2. Edit the column or row name between the last set of quotation marks. In the example above, you would overwrite the column name Gold Collection.
3. Press Enter. The header updates.

How do I change Excel columns from numbers to alphabets?

To change the column headings to letters, select the File tab in the toolbar at the top of the screen and then click on Options at the bottom of the menu. When the Excel Options window appears, click on the Formulas option on the left. Then uncheck the option called “R1C1 reference style” and click on the OK button.

How do I get rid of column 1 headers in Excel?

Go to Table Tools > Design on the Ribbon. In the Table Style Options group, select the Header Row check box to hide or display the table headers. If you rename the header rows and then turn off the header row, the original values you input will be retained if you turn the header row back on.

How do I change the row numbers in Excel?

Here are the steps to use Fill Series to number rows in Excel:

1. Enter 1 in cell A2.
2. Go to the Home tab.
3. In the Editing Group, click on the Fill drop-down.
4. From the drop-down, select ‘Series..’.
5. In the ‘Series’ dialog box, select ‘Columns’ in the ‘Series in’ options.
6. Specify the Stop value.
7. Click OK.

What is an Xlookup in Excel?

Use the XLOOKUP function to find things in a table or range by row.With XLOOKUP, you can look in one column for a search term, and return a result from the same row in another column, regardless of which side the return column is on.

Why can’t I see row numbers in Excel?

In order to show (or hide) the row and column numbers and letters go to the View ribbon. Set the check mark at “Headings”. That’s it!

How do I add a numbered list in Excel?

Click the Home tab in the Ribbon. Click the Bullets and Numbering option in the new group you created. The new group is on the far right side of the Home tab. In the Bullets and Numbering window, select the type of bulleted or numbered list you want to add to the text box and click OK.

How do I automatically number in sheets?

Use autofill to complete a series

1. On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
2. In a column or row, enter text, numbers, or dates in at least two cells next to each other.
3. Highlight the cells. You’ll see a small blue box in the lower right corner.
4. Drag the blue box any number of cells down or across.

This post will guide you how to convert column letter to number in Excel. How do I convert letter to number with a formula in Excel. How to convert column letter to number with VBA macro in Excel. How to use a User Defined Function to convert letter to number in Excel.

• Convert Column Letter to Number with a Formula
• Convert Column Letter to Number with VBA Macro
• Convert Column Letter to Number with User Defined Function
• Convert Number to Column Letter
• Video: Convert Column Letter to Number

Convert Column Letter to Number with a Formula

If you want to convert a column letter to a regular number, and you can use a formula based on the COLUMN function and the INDIRECT function to achieve the result.

For example, you need to convert a column letter in Cell B1 to number

Just like this:

=COLUMN(INDIRECT(B1&1))

Type this formula into a blank cell such as: C1, and press Enter key, and then drag the AutoFill Handle over to other cells to apply this formula.

The INDIRECT function will convert the text into a proper Excel reference and then pass the result to Column function to get the column number for the reference.

Convert Column Letter to Number with VBA Macro

You can also use an Excel VBA Macro to achieve the result of converting column letter into its corresponding numeric value. Just do the following steps:

#1 open your excel workbook and then click on “Visual Basic” command under DEVELOPER Tab, or just press “ALT+F11” shortcut.

#2 then the “Visual Basic Editor” window will appear.

#3 click “Insert” ->”Module” to create a new module.

#4 paste the below VBA code into the code window. Then clicking “Save” button.

Sub ConvertColumnLetterToNumber()
    Dim myRng As Range
    Dim cNum As Double
    Set myRng = Application.Selection
    Set myRng = Application.InputBox("select one range that contain column letters", "ConvertColumnLetterToNumber", myRng.Address, Type:=8)

    For Each myCell In myRng
            cNum = Range(myCell & 1).Column
            myCell.Resize(1).Offset(0, 1) = cNum
    Next
End Sub

#5 back to the current worksheet, then run the above excel macro. Click Run button.

#6 select one range that contain column letters, such as B1:B4

#7 let’s see the result:

Convert Column Letter to Number with User Defined Function

Excel does not have a built in formula to convert column letter to a numeric number, but you can write down a User Defined Function to achieve the result. Just do the following steps:

#1 repeat the above step 1-3

#2 paste the below VBA code into the code window. Then clicking “Save” button.

Function ConvertLetterToNum(ColumnLetter As String) As Double
    Dim cNum As Double
        
    'Get Column Number from Alphabet
    cNum = Range(ColumnLetter & "1").Column
    
    'Return Column Number
    ConvertLetterToNum = cNum
End Function

#3 back to the current worksheet, then type the following formula in a blank cell. press Enter key.

=ConvertLetterToNum(B1)

#4 select the cell C1, and  drag the AutoFill Handle over to other cells to apply this formula.

If you want to convert column number to an Excel Column letter, you can use another formula based on the SUBSTITUTE function and the ADDRESS function. Just like this:

=SUBSTITUTE(ADDRESS(1,C1,4),"1","")

Type this formula into Cell D1, and press Enter key. And then drag the AutoFill handle over to other cells to apply this formula.

Let’s see the last result:

Video: Convert Column Letter to Number

• Excel Substitute function
  The Excel SUBSTITUTE function replaces a new text string for an old text string in a text string.The syntax of the SUBSTITUTE function is as below:= SUBSTITUTE  (text, old_text, new_text,[instance_num])….
• Excel ADDRESS function
  The Excel ADDRESS function returns a reference as a text string to a single cell.The syntax of the ADDRESS function is as below:=ADDRESS (row_num, column_num, [abs_num], [a1], [sheet_text])….
• Excel INDIRECT function
  The Excel INDIRECT function returns the cell reference based on a text string, such as: type the text string “A2” in B1 cell, it just a text string, so you can use INDIRECT function to convert text string as cell reference….
• Excel COLUMN function
  The Excel COLUMN function returns the first column number of the given cell reference.The syntax of the COLUMN function is as below:=COLUMN ([reference])….