Will a calculated column formula interpret number strings as numbers?

Question

This is my first time using calculated columns. I have a calculated column that is a number field, that is calculating it's value based on two other columns that are choice columns.

I know that behind the scenes, choice column values are stored as strings. However, in this case, both of the choice column options are just the numbers 1 through 5.

When setting up my calculation formula, will the formula interpret the number string values of the choice fields as numbers, or do I have to treat them as strings?

Specifically, can I treat the value as a number and do

=IF([ChoiceField1]<=2, 0, {nested IF if false})

or do I have to treat the value as a string and do

=IF(OR([ChoiceField1]="1",[ChoiceField1]="2"), 0, {nested IF if false})

Answer 1

You cannot use it as a number. You have to "convert" your value to numeric in order to make the validation, otherwise it will be "false".

You can use the VALUE function to convert a text representation of a number, or simply add a number to your value to get it interpreted as numeric.

=IF([ChoiceField1]+0<=2, 0, {nested IF if false})

or

=IF(VALUE([ChoiceField1])<=2, 0, {nested IF if false})

The VALUE function Works with number, date or time.

https://support.office.com/en-za/article/VALUE-function-1fc46e51-4a25-4ba0-bce2-512dd5d4d872