Only the numbers change: names, labels and words like “cell” stay where they were. In the first example, “Tom again” repeats Tom’s number, so that line goes, and Bob’s extension stays after his number (x45): E.164 itself has no place for one, so the table above the list notes it in case your system needs it removed.
What is E.164 format?
E.164 (often typed E164) is the international standard for writing phone numbers, set by the ITU: a +, the country code, then the number, with no spaces, dashes or brackets, and at most 15 digits. It’s the one format that means the same thing everywhere, which is why texting services, phone systems and CRMs ask for it.
(201) 555-0123in the US becomes+12015550123020 7946 0958in the UK becomes+442079460958: the leading 0 is a trunk prefix, dialed only within the country, so it’s dropped+1 800 555 0199becomes+18005550199
The formats
- E.164:
+12015550123. For software: imports, texting and calling services, databases. - International phone number format:
+1 201 555 0123. Readable, and works for callers in any country. Good for websites and email signatures. - National:
(201) 555-0123, written the way people in that country do. Numbers from other countries are written internationally, so they still work. - As typed: no change, for when you only want to validate the numbers.
Every number is checked as it’s formatted, so mistyped and made-up numbers are caught (and their lines removed, unless you untick that), and the table above the list shows each number’s country and whether it’s a mobile, landline or toll-free number.
How to format phone numbers
- Paste your numbers, or open a .txt or .csv file with File.
- Choose the country of numbers written without a + (people usually leave it off for local numbers), and the format under Write them.
- Press Format numbers, then Copy.
How to format phone numbers in Excel or Google Sheets
Copy the phone column, paste it here, untick both Remove boxes so every row keeps its place (bad and repeated numbers are left as they were and listed in the table), format, and paste the result back over the column. Excel reads +12015550123 as a plain number and drops the +, so set the column’s format to Text before pasting.
Convert to E.164, keeping names and labels
Tom: (201) 555-0123 Ann Smith 415.555.2671 cell London office: +44 20 7946 0958 Tom again: 201.555.0123 Bob: 212 555 1234 ext 45
Tom: +12015550123 Ann Smith +14155552671 cell London office: +442079460958 Bob: +12125551234 x45
Tidy a contact list into one national style
Main line 2015550123 Sales: +1 415 555 2671 Toll-free 800.555.0199 Help desk 1 (212) 555-1234 x45
Main line (201) 555-0123 Sales: (415) 555-2671 Toll-free (800) 555-0199 Help desk (212) 555-1234 ext. 45
Questions
Is my list uploaded anywhere?
No. The formatting rules are loaded into your browser with the page, and every number is formatted there. Nothing you paste is sent anywhere.
What happens to extensions?
National and international formats keep them ((212) 555-1234 ext. 45). E.164 has no place for an extension, so it’s kept after the number (+12125551234 x45) and the table notes which ones; delete it if your system needs pure E.164.
My numbers have no country code. Which country will it use?
The one under Numbers without + are from, which starts as your own country. Numbers that start with + keep their own country whatever you choose.
Can it format numbers inside text, like “Amy: 415-555-2671”?
Yes, and the text stays: “Amy: 415-555-2671” becomes “Amy: +14155552671”. Only the number changes. To get the numbers on their own, use Extract phone numbers.
Why was a line removed?
Its number can’t be real (wrong length, or an area code that doesn’t exist) or repeats one already in the list. The table above the list gives the reason for each, and Undo brings your list back.