ARABIC function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation

What is ARABIC function in Excel?

ARABIC function is one of the Math and Trig functions in Microsoft Excel that converts a Roman numeral to an Arabic numeral.

Syntax of ARABIC function

ARABIC( text )

The ARABIC function syntax has the following arguments.

• Text: A string enclosed in quotation marks, an empty string (“”), or a reference to a cell containing text.

ARABIC formula explanation

• 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.

Example of ARABIC 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.

Formula	Description	Result
=ARABIC(“LVII”)	Returns an Arabic number based on the Roman number LVII (57).	57
=ARABIC(A6)	Returns an Arabic number based on a Roman number in cell A6 (1912).	1912
mcmxii