How to Use Excel for Measurements & Length

Microsoft Excel is often used to calculate measurements and lengths. Once you know the conversion factor, you can easily create formulas to convert one measurement to another. For instance, you may need to convert metric lengths to standard and vice versa. Instead of figuring by hand each time, all you need to do is type the measurements into your spreadsheet and let the formula automatically calculate the conversion. Excel spreadsheets can be created to calculate most any measurement and length.

Instructions

1

Determine the conversion you need to make. Visit the website listed in the Resources section to view numerous conversion factors. Select your category and subcategory if necessary. Click the measurement in the first table and the corresponding measurement in the second table. View the conversion factor in the text box below the tables. For instance, one meter is equal to 3.280839895 feet.

2

Open an Excel spreadsheet or create a new one. Go to "File" and select "New" to create a new spreadsheet. Type the initial measurement category as your first column heading. Type the desired conversion categories as additional columns or rows.

For instance, Row 1 of your spreadsheet may have multiple categories of measurements you need to convert. Row 2 would be blank in order for you to enter measurements. Row 3 may also be blank for formatting reasons. Row 4 would have categories of conversion categories. The row below the categories would be blank for the resulting conversions.

3

Place your cursor in an empty cell where you wish the conversion to take place. Based on the example in Step 2, empty cells would be in Row 5.

4

Type the equals sign (=) to begin creating a formula. Enter the conversion rate formula after the sign. For instance, if converting meters to feet, the formula would be similar to the following: =A2*3.280839895. A2 is the cell where the meter measurement is located.

5

Change the measurement in your measurement row to change the conversions. The formula can be copied to other cells as well. The cell reference will change accordingly.