Although there isn’t a huge demand to convert numbers from Arabic to Roman notation, two new functions in Excel give you a great way to learn functions, and start to understand the basics that apply to all functions.

First a quick definition, an Arabic number is one like we westerners use in normal day-to-day life, such as 1974. A Roman number is used in very formal settings like building facades, and on things like Superbowl XLIX.

You can insert the Arabic() or Roman() functions in a couple of different ways:

• Method 1: Use the Insert Function button on the Formula Bar or the Formulas Tab, or
• Method 2: Type the Functions directly into a cell.

Method 1: Use the Insert Function Button

1. Click your mouse in the cell where you want the answer to appear.
2. Click the Insert Function button on the Formula Bar.
3. Type the name of the Function you want to use in the Search box.
4. Click the Go button or press Enter.
5. Double-click the name of the function you want to use in the Select a Function box.
6. With your mouse in the first field of the Function Argument box,
   1. Click the cell that holds the value you want to convert, such as A2, or
   2. Type the number you want to convert inside parentheses, i.e. “MCMXLLIV”
7. Click the OK button.

Method 2: Type the Function

1. Click your mouse in the cell where you want the answer to appear.
2. Type the Function, including the equal sign and the opening parenthesis (i.e. =Arabic(
3. Type the reference correctly:
   1. Type a simple cell reference, such as A2, or
   2. Type the number you want to convert directly inside parentheses, i.e. “MCMXLLIV”
4. Close the parentheses.
5. Press Enter.