Formatting a cell with a formula

[Jim]

Hello,

In would like help with adding a dash to a series of numbers. I know I can
format with special formatting using 0-00. However the result does return a
hit when I search with the -00. Can you offer a formula that will add the
dash and yield a result that can be searched.

Thanks for the help (example below)

Now Needs to be
38605.................386-05
118306...............1183-06
511602...............5116-02
553404...............5534-04
553703...............5537-03
597309...............5973-09
597704...............5977-04

 

[Mike H]

Hi,


You would need a macro to do it in the same column but you can format your
numbers to a different column like this and hide the original column.
Alternatively you can copy this column and paste it back over the originial
using paste special - values.

=LEFT(A1,LEN(A1)-2)&"-"&RIGHT((A1),2)

Mike

 

[Alan]

=LEFT(A1,LEN(A1)-2)&"-"&RIGHT(A1,2)

To search with Edit > Find you need to Copy > PasteSpecial > Values
Regards,
Alan.

 

[Rick Rothstein]

If the OP wants to do it this way, then here is a simpler formula that he
can use...

=TEXT(A1,"0-00")

 

[Rick Rothstein]

As I posted back to Mike, this is a simpler formula to do the same thing...

=TEXT(A1,"0-00")

 

[Mike H]

Rick,

For some reason I have this mental block with TEXT and only think of using
it with dates. Thanks.

Mike

 

[David Biddulph]

Formatting a cell does not change the value in the cell, only the way it is
displayed, so your search won't work if the *contents* (as distinct from the
*display*) don't match your search criteria.

If you want to search for a string including the hyphen, you probably need a
helper column such as =TEXT(A2,"0-00")

 

[Alan]

I posted the reply before yours was visible, had I'd seen your reply I would
not have responded. It is a better way to do it.