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Excel function · Logic
ISNUMBER
Checks whether a cell holds a number.
What it does
ISNUMBER returns TRUE when a value is a number (dates included) and FALSE for text, empty cells and errors. Use it to catch numbers typed as text before they break your sums.
Syntax
=ISNUMBER(value)Arguments in square brackets are optional, and … means you can add more of the same. In this Excel language, arguments are separated by ,
Arguments
- value
- The cell or value to check.
Example
A weight was typed as 12 kg. Can Excel calculate with it?
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weight | Number? |
| 2 | 12 kg | FALSE |
| 3 | 12 |
The formula in B2:
=ISNUMBER(A2)Result: FALSE
A2 holds 12 kg, which is text because of the unit, so the result is FALSE. The plain 12 in A3 would give TRUE.
Common mistakes
- Expecting text that looks like a number to pass. A number typed with a unit, or pasted as text, is still text.
- Using it to find empty cells. An empty cell gives FALSE, just like text; use
ISBLANKfor that.
In other Excel languages
Excel translates function names, and in some languages the argument separator too. Type the name your Excel shows.
| Excel language | Function name | Separator |
|---|---|---|
| English | ISNUMBER | , |
| Deutsch | ISTZAHL | ; |
| Français | ESTNUM | ; |
| Español (España) | ESNUMERO | ; |
| Español (México) | ESNUMERO | , |
| 日本語 | ISNUMBER | , |
| 한국어 | ISNUMBER | , |
| 繁體中文 | ISNUMBER | , |
| ไทย | ISNUMBER | , |
| ខ្មែរ | ISNUMBER | , |
| Tiếng Việt | ISNUMBER | ; |