Converting units is a common and necessary task in Excel for mathematical, engineering, or any other operations. Maybe the manual way to do it will come to your mind first but there are more 3 quick methods by which you can do it easily and smartly. So, today I’ll show all the 4 quick methods to convert feet to inches in Excel.
How to Convert Feet to Inches in Excel: 4 Methods
To explore the methods, we’ll use the following dataset that represents the basic dimensions of a ship- Le Chapman.
1. Manual Approach to Convert Feet to Inches in Excel
First, let’s try the manual method to convert feet to inches. As we know one foot is equal to 12 inches, so we’ll just multiply this value with the feet value. It’s easy of course but not so feasible always.
Steps:
- Write the following formula in Cell D5–
=C5*12
- Then just hit the ENTER button to get the output.
- Lastly, drag down the Fill Handle icon to copy the formula for the rest of the cells.
Now, Excel has converted all the values from feet to inches.
Read More: How to Convert Decimal Feet to Feet and Inches in Excel
2. Applying Paste Special to Convert Feet to Inches
If you wanna perform the multiplication of the previous method smartly then try the Paste Special tool. To apply it, I placed 12 in Cell C9. The tool will paste 12 as multiplied by the values.
Steps:
- First, copy the values that you want to convert to a new column. I copied it to column D.
- Next, copy 12 from Cell D9.
- Later, select all the previously copied values and right-click your mouse.
- Then select Paste Special from the Context menu.
- After appearing the Paste Special dialog box, mark Multiply from the Operation section.
- Finally, just press OK.
Now you see, we got the same output as the previous method.
Read More: How to Convert Inches to Feet and Inches in Excel
3. Using Excel CONVERT Function to Change Feet to Inches
Also, we can use the CONVERT function to change feet to inches. Because it can convert any kind of unit.
Steps:
- Type the following formula in Cell D5–
=CONVERT(C5,"ft","in")
- Later, press the ENTER button for the result.
- Finally, use the Fill Handle tool to apply the same formula to the other cells.
Here’s our output after using the CONVERT function.
Read More: How to Convert Inches to Square Feet in Excel
4. Using Dynamic Formula to Convert Feet to Inches
In our last method, we’ll use the CONVERT and VLOOKUP functions in a dynamic formula to convert feet to inches. It will work like a calculator. By using it we’ll be able to convert between the other length units too. For that, I have placed the length units in a new sheet for further use.
First, we’ll make two drop-down lists using the unit names then they will be used in the formula. In Cell B6, we’ll make a drop-down list from which unit we want to convert, and in Cell D6, for the unit we want.
Steps:
- Select Cell B6 and click as follows: Data > Data Tools > Data Validation > Data Validation.
- After that, select List from the Allow drop-down box.
- Next, click on the Open icon from the Source It will allow you to choose the source range from any sheet.
- At this moment, select the unit list and hit the ENTER button.
- The source range is selected successfully, just press OK
- Now have a look, a drop-down icon is visible beside the cell, click on it and you will get the list.
- Select Foot from the list.
- Then copy that cell to Cell D6 and the drop-down list will be copied too.
- Select Inch from the list for this cell.
Now we are ready to insert the formula. We’ll give input the values in Cell B5 and will get the output in Cell D5.
- So insert the following formula in Cell D5–
=CONVERT(B5,VLOOKUP(B6,Units!B3:C10,2,0),VLOOKUP(D6,Units!B3:C10,2,0))
- Then just hit the ENTER button.
Formula Breakdown:
- VLOOKUP(B6,Units!B3:C10,2,0)
Here, the VLOOKUP function will look up the unit in the unit list according to our selected unit name in Cell B6. So it will return as-
“Ft”
- VLOOKUP(D6,Units!B3:C10,2,0)
It will look up the unit in the unit list according to our selected unit name in Cell D6 and will return as-
“In”
- CONVERT(B5,VLOOKUP(B6,Units!B3:C10,2,0),VLOOKUP(D6,Units!B3:C10,2,0))
Finally, the CONVERT function will use the outputs from the VLOOKUP functions as arguments.
- Now type the value in Cell B5 that you want to convert and hit the ENTER button, you will get the output. I typed 430.
Read More: How to Convert Feet and Inches to Decimal in Excel
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Conclusion
I hope the procedures described above will be good enough to convert feet to inches in Excel. Feel free to ask any question in the comment section and please give me feedback.