Hi everyone

I have a list (and sometimes an array) of strings, some of which are number strings:

listOfStrings = {"Not a number", "12.345", "Not this one either", "-934"};

I'd like to replace the number strings by their corresponding numbers. The fastest way I've found is using a plain old If statement

If[StringMatchQ[#, NumberString], 
   ToExpression[#], #] & /@ listOfStrings

A more complicated and slower way is to use StringCases and delete the excess baggage in the result:

DeleteCases[
 Flatten[StringCases[
   listOfStrings, {char : LetterCharacter .., 
     num : NumberString} :> {char, ToExpression[num]}]], Null | ""]

Just curious to know if there is a more direct way than either of these.

Gregory