text converted to scientific notations

[jubu]

I read the threads about numbers coming through as scientific. Most of the
suggestions were to change the format of the cell. However, my situation is
such that when we download information from our mainframe, it immediately
sends the data to excel - we are unable to use the import wizard to request
that the desired column remain as text, which would eliminate the scientific
notation problems. Is there anything that can be done to the column after
the data is in place, to "recover" the original number?

 

[Niek Otten]

< it immediately sends the data to excel >

How?

 

[jubu]

I'm actually asking this question on behalf of a friend. She indicated that
their mainframe system uses Crystal Reports, which immediately sends the data
into excel format. She does not have access to the program to adjust how it
sends the information, so she is looking for a solution once it is in excel.

 

[David Biddulph]

No. Once Excel has stored it as a number, you can't restore the original
text. You'll have to change your process so that you get a text file from
your mainframe.

 

[jubu]

thanks! I suspected that, but thought it important to ask the experts!
Appreciate all your help.