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ARABIC Function
Summary
The Excel ARABIC function converts Roman numerals to their Arabic (standard decimal) numeral equivalents. It provides a straightforward way to translate ancient Roman notation into modern numeric values used in calculations and data processing.
Syntax
ARABIC(text)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| text | Text |
Yes | Text string containing the Roman numeral to convert, or cell reference |
Using the ARABIC Function
ARABIC is perfect for converting historical dates, historical data, or Roman numeral references into numeric format for calculations, sorting, or mathematical operations. It reverses the ROMAN function's conversion process.
Common ARABIC Examples
Basic Roman Numeral Conversion
=ARABIC("LVII")Converts LVII to 57
Cell Reference Conversion
=ARABIC(B1)Converts Roman numeral in cell B1 (like MCMXII) to 1912
Lowercase Roman Numeral
=ARABIC("mcmxii")Converts lowercase mcmxii to 1912 (case insensitive)
Negative Roman Numeral
=ARABIC("-MMXI")Converts negative Roman numeral to -2011
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#VALUE! Error
Cause: Input is not a valid Roman numeral (numbers, dates, invalid text)
Solution: Use only valid Roman numerals: I, V, X, L, C, D, M combinations
Unexpected results with long text
Cause: Input exceeds 255 characters
Solution: Keep Roman numeral text under 255 characters
Notes
- Case insensitive - 'MXMVII' equals 'mxmvii'
- Supports subtractive notation (IV=4, IX=9, etc.)
- Opposite of ROMAN function
- Empty string "" returns 0
- Negative: "-MMXI" = -2011
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365
Not available in: Excel 2010 and earlier
Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2013+