This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the ARABIC function in Microsoft Excel.
Description
Converts a Roman numeral to an Arabic numeral.
Syntax
ARABIC( text )
The ARABIC function syntax has the following arguments.
- Text Required. A string enclosed in quotation marks, an empty string (""), or a reference to a cell containing text.
Remarks
- If Text is not a valid value, ARABIC returns the #VALUE! error value.
- Values that return a #VALUE! error value include numbers, dates, and text that is not a valid Roman numeral.
- If an empty string ("") is used as an input value, 0 is returned.
- The maximum length of the argument is 255 characters. Therefore, the largest number that can be returned is 255,000.
- The case of the text argument is ignored. For example, "mxmvii" evaluates to the same result (1997) as "MXMVII."
- Although a negative Roman number is non-standard, evaluation of a negative Roman numeral is supported. Insert the negative sign before the Roman text, such as "-MMXI."
- Leading and trailing spaces are ignored.
- The ARABIC function performs the opposite action of the ROMAN function. See ROMAN function for more information.
Examples
- Use the ARABIC function to convert a value.
Open a new Excel workbook and type this formula into cell A1.
=ARABIC("LVII")
Press Enter and Excel converts the Roman numeral LVII to the Arabic equivalent, 57. - Use a cell reference in the function to convert values from other cells.
Type this formula into cell A2.
=ARABIC(B1)
Now enter a Roman numeral into cell B1.
mcmxii
Excel converts the value in cell B1 and displays the Arabic equivalent, 1912.