6 Easy Ways to Convert Feet and Inches to Inches in Excel

Sharing is caring!

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that allows users to work with numbers and formulas effectively. When it comes to unit conversions, such as converting feet and inches to inches, Excel provides several techniques to simplify the process.

In this article, we’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to handle this task efficiently. Whether you’re managing construction data or creating a custom spreadsheet, these approaches will save you time and effort.

Understanding the Feet and Inches Format

Before proceeding, it’s essential to understand the feet and inches measurement system. One foot is equal to 12 inches, so converting feet and inches to inches involves simple multiplication and addition. For example, 5 feet 8 inches equals 68 inches (5 * 12 + 8).

Methods to Convert Feet and Inches to Inches in Excel

There are multiple ways to convert feet and inches into inches in Excel. Let’s explore each method in detail.

Method 1: Using a Formula

If your measurement is in a single cell formatted as X’ Y”, where X is feet and Y is inches (e.g., 5′ 9″), you can use the following formula:

Steps:

1) Enter the Measurement: Place your feet and inches measurement in a cell, for example, in cell A1, enter 5′ 9″.

2) Apply the Conversion Formula: In another cell, enter this formula:

 =LEFT(A1,FIND("'",A1)-1)*12 + SUBSTITUTE(MID(A1,FIND("'",A1)+1,LEN(A1)),"""","")

3) Explanation:

LEFT(A1,FIND("'",A1)-1) extracts the feet part and converts it to inches by multiplying by 12.

MID(A1,FIND("'",A1)+1,LEN(A1)) extracts the inches part.

SUBSTITUTE(...,"""","") removes the double quote from the inches part.

4) Press Enter: After entering the formula, press Enter to see the total inches. For 5′ 9″, this would return 69.

Method 2: Using Simple Arithmetic in Excel

If your data is already separated into two columns (one for feet and one for inches), you can use a straightforward arithmetic formula.

Steps:

1) Assume column A contains feet, and column B contains inches.

2) In column C, enter the formula:

= (A1 * 12) + B1

3) Press Enter and drag the formula down for all rows.

Example:

This formula multiplies the feet value by 12 and adds the inches value to get the total inches.

Method 3: Using the CONVERT Function

If your data is structured differently (for example, if you have separate cells for feet and inches), you can use Excel’s built-in CONVERT function.

Steps:

1) Separate Feet and Inches: Assume you have feet in cell A2 and inches in cell B2.

2) Use the CONVERT Formula: In another cell (e.g., C2), enter:

=CONVERT(A2,"ft","in") + B2

3) Press Enter: This will give you the total inches.

Example:

This formula converts the feet value in A2 to inches and adds the inches value from B2.

Method 4: Using CONCATENATED Text with Formula Parsing

Sometimes, feet and inches are stored in a single column as text (e.g., 5′ 8″). To handle this, you need to extract the feet and inches values before performing the calculation.

Steps:

1) Assume the feet and inches text is in column A (e.g., 5′ 8″).

2) Use the following formulas to extract feet and inches:

Extract Feet (Column B):

=LEFT(A1,FIND("'",A1)-1) 

Extract Inches (Column C):

=MID(A1,FIND("'",A1)+2,LEN(A1)-FIND("'",A1)-2)

3) Convert these values to total inches in column D:

= (B1 * 12) + C1

Example:

Method 5: Using VBA to Automate the Conversion

For users who frequently handle this type of conversion, a VBA macro can make the process faster and more efficient.

Steps:

1) Open your Excel workbook.

2) Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.

3) Go to Insert > Module and paste the following code:

Function ConvertToInches(Text As String) As Double
    Dim Feet As Double, Inches As Double
    Feet = Val(Left(Text, InStr(1, Text, "'") - 1))
    Inches = Val(Mid(Text, InStr(1, Text, "'") + 1))
    ConvertToInches = (Feet * 12) + Inches
End Function

4) Close the VBA editor and return to Excel.

5) In a blank column, use the formula:

=ConvertToInches(A1)

6) Press Enter and apply the formula to other rows.

Example:

This VBA function allows you to directly input feet and inches text without needing to separate the values manually.

Method 6: Using Power Query for Advanced Users

If you’re dealing with a large dataset, Power Query can be an efficient solution.

Steps:

1. Select your data range and go to Data > Get & Transform > From Table/Range.
2. In Power Query Editor:
   • Split the column containing feet and inches using the delimiter ‘ for feet and “ for inches.
   • Multiply the feet column by 12 and add the inches column.
3. Load the transformed data back into Excel.

Example:

Tips for Working with Feet and Inches in Excel

• Ensure Data Consistency: Make sure the format of feet and inches is uniform throughout the dataset.
• Check for Errors: Use conditional formatting to highlight invalid entries (e.g., missing apostrophes or quotation marks).
• Save Your Work: If using VBA, save your workbook as a macro-enabled file (.xlsm).
• Use Named Ranges: For better readability, name your data ranges.

Summary of Methods to Convert Feet and Inches to Inches in Excel

Here’s a summary of the key formulas covered:

Final Thoughts

Converting feet and inches to inches in Excel is straightforward once you understand the data format and the right formulas or tools to use. Whether you prefer simple arithmetic, formula parsing, VBA macros, or Power Query, Excel has a solution tailored to your needs. Use these techniques to streamline your workflow and manage unit conversions efficiently.

Vaishvi Desai

Vaishvi Desai is the founder of Excelsamurai and a passionate Excel enthusiast with years of experience in data analysis and spreadsheet management. With a mission to help others harness the power of Excel, Vaishvi shares her expertise through concise, easy-to-follow tutorials on shortcuts, formulas, Pivot Tables, and VBA.