ARABIC

The ARABIC function is used to convert a Roman numeral to an Arabic (decimal) number. It can be handy for converting historical or traditional numerical notations to modern decimal equivalents.

Syntax

=ARABIC(text)

Arguments

Argument Required Description
text Yes The Roman numeral to be converted to an Arabic (decimal) number.
Notes Yes The ARABIC function only supports Roman numerals from I to MMMCMXCIX (1 to 3999) and is case-insensitive for letters (e.g., 'V' and 'v' both represent 5).

About

When faced with the task of converting Roman numerals to their corresponding decimal values in Excel, the ARABIC function comes to the rescue. It acts as a convenient tool for deciphering ancient numerical representations, facilitating seamless transitions to modern decimal equivalents. This function can find utility in historical research, educational contexts, and various other scenarios where conversion from Roman numerals to decimal numbers is required. The ARABIC function supports Roman numerals ranging from I to MMMCMXCIX (1 to 3999) and is case-insensitive for letters, allowing both uppercase and lowercase representations of Roman numerals to be converted.

Examples

Suppose you have a cell containing the Roman numeral 'XIV' and you want to convert it to its decimal equivalent using the ARABIC function. The formula would be:

=ARABIC("XIV")

This will return the decimal value 14.

Tips & notes

The ARABIC function is limited to converting Roman numerals within the range of I to MMMCMXCIX (1 to 3999). Attempting to convert Roman numerals outside this range will result in an error. Furthermore, the function is case-insensitive for letters, meaning the input can consist of either uppercase or lowercase representations of Roman numerals.

Common questions

What is the limit of the Roman numerals that the ARABIC function can convert?

The ARABIC function can convert Roman numerals within the range of I to MMMCMXCIX (1 to 3999). Attempting to convert Roman numerals outside this range will result in an error.

Is the ARABIC function case-sensitive for the input Roman numerals?

No, the ARABIC function is case-insensitive for letters. It can handle both uppercase and lowercase representations of Roman numerals for conversion to decimal values.