Unit Conversion
And the Convert Function
Issues
• Converting a measurement from one unit to
another. E.g. tablespoon to cup
• Different measurement systems, e.g.
American, Metric, British, Imperial, and etc.
History
• Customary units of measure (regional)
– Anglo-Saxon and Roman
– English Units (based for the US system)
• Metric (1799)
• Imperial System (1824)
– What is 1 chain? What is a stone?
• International System of Units (1970s)
• Example: 1 Cup comes in many sizes.
Convert Function
• Convert Function in Excel can convert
measurement (between the same
measurement category)
• =CONVERT(number,from_unit,to_unit)
• =CONVERT(100, “tbs”, “cup”)
Converts 100 Tablespoons in Cups.
– 100: the amount (value)
– “tbs”: Unit ID for Tablespoons
– “cup”: Unit ID for Cups
Step-by-Step
Function Arguments
Straight Formula Method
Convert Unit ID
• Weight and Mass
– Gram "g"
– Pound mass "lbm"
– Ounce mass "ozm"
• Temperature
– Degree Celsius "C"
– Degree Fahrenheit "F"
• Liquid Measure
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Teaspoon "tsp"
Tablespoon "tbs"
Fluid ounce "oz"
Cup "cup"
U.S. pint "pt"
Quart "qt"
Gallon "gal"
Liter "l"
How to Enter a Fraction in Excel
• If you enter 1/4 in a cell, you may get 4-Jan as
in January 4th.
• Excel is trying to be a smart ***.
• Enter the value with 0 (zero) followed by a
blank space, and then enter the value.
• e. g. 0 1/4 (don’t forget the blank space)
Challenges
• Converting between different measurement
categories.
• E.g. From 1 Lbs of flour to cups
• Find the conversion factor
–
–
–
–
–
Wolfram|Alpha
E.g. ask “1 lbs of flour in cups”  26 fl oz
*26 will give how many fl oz for 1 lbs of flour
1 fl oz = 1/8 cups (or 0.125)
So, =10*26*0.125 will give how many cups for 10 lbs
of flour.
Conversion Online Tools
• OnlineConversion.com
• GourmetSleuth.com
• Cooks.com