How to format phone numbers in Excel
Excel can format numbers that all come from one country and have the same length. Real contact lists rarely do, and that’s where SMS tools, WhatsApp and CRM imports start rejecting numbers.
Show me how to do it myself or use the tool below.
(415) 555-0132
+1 415 555 0132
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A CSV or Excel file exported from your store, CRM, email tool or spreadsheet.
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Names, phone numbers, emails and duplicates are fixed for you.
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Method 1: A custom number format
- Select the phone column, then right-click → Format Cells.
- Choose Custom and enter a pattern, for example "+65 "0000 0000 for 8-digit Singapore numbers.
- Click OK.
Catch: this only changes how numbers look, only works for numbers stored as numbers, and only for one length. Numbers with dashes or brackets are text, so they’re left alone.
Method 2: A formula
To strip dashes, brackets and spaces from A2, then add a country code:
- Digits only
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,"-",""),"(",""),")","")," ","")- Add a country code
="+65 "&TEXT(B2, "0000 0000")
Catch: you need a different formula for every country and number length, and numbers that already have a code get it twice.
Or format every number automatically
- Drop your .xlsx or .csv file onto the box above.
- Check your country (it’s set from your location). It’s used for numbers typed without a code.
- Download. Every number is in one clean international format.
- Uses each country’s own numbering rules, for every country
- Numbers that already have a code stay in their own country: 0044 20 7946 0958 → +44 20 7946 0958
- Choose spaced (+61 412 345 678) or compact (+61412345678)
- Invalid numbers are counted and tidied, never given a guessed code
- Free for up to 100 rows, and your file is never uploaded
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a country code to phone numbers in Excel?
If every number is from the same country, the formula ="+65 "&B2 (with your own code) works once the numbers are digits only. For lists with several countries, use TidyRow, which works out each number’s country.
What format do SMS and WhatsApp tools want?
Most want international format with the country code, often with no spaces (+6591234567, called E.164). In TidyRow, choose “No spaces” under More options.
Why does Excel show my numbers as 6.59E+09?
Excel turned long numbers into scientific notation. Format the column as Number with no decimals, or as Text before pasting. TidyRow reads these numbers correctly from .xlsx files.