Data Import & Export

How to Format Google Takeout Latitude and Longitude in Excel

Phi Hung Vo Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to correctly format raw latitude and longitude values exported from Google Takeout by inserting missing decimal points and combining the coordinate pairs into a single cell separated by a comma.

How to Format Google Takeout Latitude and Longitude in Excel

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Cleaning and formatting location data exported from Google Takeout for mapping or further analysis.
Observed behavior: Exported latitude and longitude numbers lack decimal points and need to be merged into a single standardized coordinate string.

Before you start

Ensure your raw latitude and longitude data from Google Takeout is neatly arranged in separate columns before applying any text formulas.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Text Formulas to Format and Combine Coordinates

Extract and insert decimal points into the raw numbers using LEFT and RIGHT functions, then concatenate them.

Since Google Takeout often exports location data as continuous numbers without decimals, you can use Excel's built-in text manipulation formulas to split the numbers, insert a decimal point, and merge the final coordinates together.

Format the Latitude

Assuming your raw latitude is in cell A2, type =LEFT(A2,2)&"."&RIGHT(A2,LEN(A2)-2) in cell C2 to insert the decimal after the first two digits.

Format the Longitude

Assuming your raw longitude is in cell B2 and starts with a negative sign (e.g., -122), type =LEFT(B2,4)&"."&RIGHT(B2,LEN(B2)-4) in cell D2 to insert the decimal after the first four characters.

Combine the Coordinates

In cell E2, enter the formula =C2&", "&D2 to merge the formatted latitude and longitude with a comma and a space.

Apply Formulas to All Rows

Select cells C2, D2, and E2, then drag the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right corner) down to apply these formulas to the rest of your data.

Use Text Formulas to Format and Combine Coordinates

Adjusting the Decimal Position: Depending on your specific geographic region, the number of digits before the decimal may vary. Adjust the '2' or '4' in the LEFT function to match the correct degree length for your specific coordinates.

Format Data Easily in WPS Spreadsheet

Clean and Format Exported Data with WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet provides powerful text functions and data processing tools to seamlessly format Google Takeout location data or any other raw exports. It handles complex formulas perfectly and offers a smooth, professional data analysis experience.

1. Open Your File: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your Google Takeout CSV or Excel file containing the raw data.
2. Prepare Columns: Create new blank columns next to your raw data for the formatted latitude and longitude values.
3. Apply Formulas: Enter the LEFT and RIGHT string manipulation formulas to accurately insert decimal points into your coordinate numbers.
4. Combine Data: Use the ampersand (&) operator or CONCATENATE function to merge the separated coordinate cells into a single location string.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) formats.Advanced formula and text manipulation functions for quick data cleaning.Lightweight and fast, even with large geographic datasets.Free and intuitive interface for seamless data management.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Flash Fill to format latitude and longitude?

Yes, in modern spreadsheet tools, you can type the desired format for the first row manually and press Ctrl+E to trigger Flash Fill. The program will attempt to recognize the pattern and automatically apply it to the remaining rows.

Why do my formulas result in a #VALUE error?

This usually happens if there are hidden spaces or non-numeric characters in your raw data. Use the TRIM or CLEAN functions to remove extraneous spaces before applying the LEFT and RIGHT formulas.

How do I convert the formula results back to plain text?

Select the cells containing your final formulas, copy them (Ctrl+C), right-click on the destination cell, and choose 'Paste as Values'. This removes the formulas and leaves only the static, formatted coordinate text.

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