Cell wants number then text: what do I do?

[kevs]

I have a document that list serial numbers. (in a column) for software
keys.

One on them used to come out:
4.88312E+14

Even though it was supposed to be a long number. So I think, I made this a
number?? And then everything was ok.

Now one of my serial numbers is not working : can't open a software I use.

It turns out Excel has deleted the zero at beginning: WHYYYYYYYYY?????????


SO I change it to text and I'm ok. But the first one is now screwed up.

Why the torture???????????????

Why can't excel just let me enter numbers and the look exactly as I entered
them????????


OS 10.4.2
Office 2004

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

You can start by formatting the column as text. Or, enter the values with a
leading apostrophe.

 

[kevs]

Thanksl Bob!

What's going on?

Why does Excel chop of a zero in the cell is formatted for numbers?

And why does Excel take a number that is:
488312064642057

And make it : 4.88312E+14 as text?


This number:
01459329 and chops off the 0


The apostrophe stores is as text correct? Thanks


Thanks!!!!!!!!!

You can start by formatting the column as text. Or, enter the values with a
leading apostrophe.

OS 10.4.2
Office 2004

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Thanksl Bob!

What's going on?

Why does Excel chop of a zero in the cell is formatted for numbers?

Excel is defaulting to the "General" format which does not display leading
zeros. Excel realizes that what you entered is a number and stores it as
such so you can do math with it. If you really want it as text, format it as
text or use the leading apostrophe.

And why does Excel take a number that is:
488312064642057

And make it : 4.88312E+14 as text?

Same as above. Excel is trying to make this very large number more readable
and converts it to scientific notation. Again this is a number and can be
used in calculations.

This number:
01459329 and chops off the 0

Same.

The apostrophe stores is as text correct? Thanks

Yes, and you can tell this because it is left justified in the cell rather
than right justified.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

You're welcome.

 

[kevs]

Bob:
Thanks for great help!

Lastly:
Why not show leading zeros? ????

Excel is defaulting to the "General" format which does not display leading
zeros. Excel realizes that what you entered is a number and stores it as
such so you can do math with it. If you really want it as text, format it as
text or use the leading apostrophe.

Same as above. Excel is trying to make this very large number more readable
and converts it to scientific notation. Again this is a number and can be
used in calculations.



Yes, and you can tell this because it is left justified in the cell rather
than right justified.


You're welcome.

OS 10.4.2
Office 2004

 

[Paul Berkowitz]

Bob:
Thanks for great help!

Lastly:
Why not show leading zeros? ????

I'm not sure you understood what Bob wrote. Leading zeroes are not part of
numbers, they're just a formatting artifact. Numbers (integers) don't have
leading zeroes. You could set the Format/Cells/Number/Custom to always have
a fixed number of digits, which would supply the leading zeroes. (e.g. if
you enter the Format as 00000000 there will always be 8 digits, including as
many leading zeroes as necessary to make up the number.) But if your numbers
don't all have the same number of digits, that won't do. If you don't
actually need to calculate anything wit the numbers, then just format them
as text and they will appear exactly as you enter them, leading zero and
all.

--
Paul Berkowitz
MVP MacOffice
Entourage FAQ Page: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/faq/index.html>
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[kevs]

Thanks Paul, that help to explain it.

Your right, I would normally never put a zero in front of anything.

But this excel file I use a lost just list all my software passwords, and
serial numbers, and those developers sometimes put zeros at beginning. So
know I know the deal!

Thanks!!

I'm not sure you understood what Bob wrote. Leading zeroes are not part of
numbers, they're just a formatting artifact. Numbers (integers) don't have
leading zeroes. You could set the Format/Cells/Number/Custom to always have
a fixed number of digits, which would supply the leading zeroes. (e.g. if
you enter the Format as 00000000 there will always be 8 digits, including as
many leading zeroes as necessary to make up the number.) But if your numbers
don't all have the same number of digits, that won't do. If you don't
actually need to calculate anything wit the numbers, then just format them
as text and they will appear exactly as you enter them, leading zero and
all.

OS 10.4.2
Office 2004