title: Convert text to number format in Excel
body: <p>How can I convert text representations of numbers into Excel numbers, especially negative values? For example, the string "9,669.34" (without quotes) should become the number <code>9,669.34</code> and the string "2,553.57-" (again, without quotes) should become the number <code>(2,553.57)</code>.</p>
  
  <p>When I used the formula <code>=SUBSTITUTE(A1,CHAR(160),"")+0</code>, it worked well, but only for positive values. I received the result <code>#VALUE!</code> for all negative values.</p>