Summary

To build a simple table to convert temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit, you can use the CONVERT function. In the example shown, the formula in C5 is:

=CONVERT(B5,"C","F")

As the formula is copied down, it converts the Celsius temperatures listed in column B to Fahrenheit temperatures. The results in column C will update automatically when values in column B change.

Generic formula

=CONVERT(A1,"C","F")

Explanation 

In this example, the goal is to convert the Celsius temperatures shown in column B to Fahrenheit temperatures in column C. The solution shown in the worksheet above relies on the CONVERT function, which can convert a number in one measurement system to another. CONVERT is fully automatic and based on "from" and "to" unit strings. As long as the units valid options in the same category (weight, distance, temperature, etc.), CONVERT will automatically perform a conversion and return a numeric result.

Celsius to Fahrenheit

To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, use a "C" for Celsius and an "F" for Fahrenheit like this:

=CONVERT(B5,"C","F")

Note: unit strings are case-sensitive. Both the "C" and "F" must be uppercase.

Handling empty cells

If a cell in column B is empty, the CONVERT function will interpret the value as zero and return 32. To prevent this from happening, you can adjust the formula to test for a value first like this:

=IF(B5<>"",CONVERT(B5,"C","F"),"")

Here, the IF function is used to check if cell B5 is not empty. If so, the original CONVERT formula is run. If the cell is empty, IF returns an empty string ("") as a result, which looks like a blank cell in Excel. As an alternative, you can use the NOT and ISBLANK functions together like so:

=IF(NOT(ISBLANK(B5)),CONVERT(B5,"C","F"),"")

The result from this formula is exactly the same.

Fahrenheit to Celsius

To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, the formula would be:

=CONVERT(B5,"F","C")

Other conversions

You can use CONVERT to convert weight, distance, time, pressure, force, energy, power, magnetism, temperature, liquid, and volume. Unit strings must be valid and in the proper case. This page shows available options in each category.

Dave Bruns Profile Picture

AuthorMicrosoft Most Valuable Professional Award

Dave Bruns

Hi - I'm Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.