N function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation
What is N function in Excel?
N function is one of the Information functions in Microsoft Excel that returns a value converted to a number.
Syntax of N function
N(value)
The N function syntax has the following arguments:
- Value: The value you want converted. N converts values listed in the following table.
| If value is or refers to | N returns |
| A number | That number |
| A date, in one of the built-in date formats available in Microsoft Excel | The serial number of that date |
| TRUE | 1 |
| FALSE | 0 |
| An error value, such as #DIV/0! | The error value |
| Anything else | 0 |
N function formula explanation
- It is not generally necessary to use the N function in a formula, because Excel automatically converts values as necessary. This function is provided for compatibility with other spreadsheet programs.
- Excel stores dates as sequential serial numbers so they can be used in calculations. By default, January 1, 1900 is serial number 1, and January 1, 2008 is serial number 39448 because it is 39,448 days after January 1, 1900.
Example of N function
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| Data | ||
| 7 | ||
| Even | ||
| TRUE | ||
| 4/17/2011 | ||
| Formula | Description | Result |
| =N(A2) | Because A2 contains a number, the number is returned. | 7 |
| =N(A3) | Because A3 contains text, 0 is returned. | 0 |
| =N(A4) | Because A4 is the logical value TRUE, 1 is returned. | 1 |
| =N(A5) | Because A5 is a date, the serial number of the date is returned (varies with the date system used). | 40650 |
| =N(“7”) | Because “7” is text, 0 is returned. | 0 |