Excel does not show the correct number I enter..

I am creating a spreadsheet and it includes a colums for telephone numbers. This number is a 16 digit number. It needs to be all numbers, no spacing and no dashes or brackets. Problem is when I input the number in the cell excel changes the number on me. Example:

I type in 9011862131581869 and when I press enter it shows in the cell as 9011862131581860. Seems like it lowers it down to the lowest 10 dinominator.

In case you were think that number is too long for a telephone number. I need to have the exact number in order to import into another system. The string includes the Dial 9 and 011 access codes for a phone system.

Can anyone help? I have tried all the formating, I think.

I am running Excel 2003 (Office 2003)

Thanks

The telephone number is a misnoma as far as computers are concerned.... they are not numbers, they are a code and should be entered as text. To ensure they are put a ' (for left justify) or " (right justify) or ^ (centre). This will tell excel to treat it as text and will stop mucking the numbers around.

Where do I put the " or ' or ^ ?

I tried putting it with the number and it shows up in the cell and doesn't justify anything. I know I am putting it in the wrong place.

If I go to "format cell" can I select TEXT? Would that be the same thing?

http://www.brainbell.com/tutorials/m...al_Numbers.htm

kinda over the top cct!

You enter the '"^ just before the number


'9900990099
"0099009900
^9090909090

and yes, format cell > text would have the same effect.

I just figured that if the poster REALLY wanted that long string of numbers the poster would eventually want to use them as a numeric, not a text, entry.

:)

Thanks all, I got it working. Thanks for the instructions and link !