Convert numbers from text format to number format

I have retrieved some data from external source and it put to my
worksheet in one column numbers in text format and if I want to work
with numbers (add, substract, etc.) I need it to convert to number format.
I tried to select column and mark it as number format however it doesn´t
work. Pls help me what to do, how to suceed. I have no chance to change
the format in source.

Juraj

Hi Merlin68,

> I have retrieved some data from external source and it put to my
> worksheet in one column numbers in text format and if I want to work
> with numbers (add, substract, etc.) I need it to convert to number format.
>

After changing the format, you need to convince Excel you meant what you
said <grin>:

- select an out-of-the-way empty cell, hit copy.
- select all your cells with numbers-to-be
- hit edit, paste-special and select the "Add" operation.

Regards,

Jan Karel Pieterse
Excel MVP
http://www.jkp-ads.com

thanks Jan Karel however I tried and failed. Perhaps I make some mistakes but
pls can you go step by step once more ? Really I do not understand why it
doesn´t work for me and believe what you typed is trues. Thanks once more

„Jan Karel Pieterse" napĂ*sal (napĂ*sala):

> Hi Merlin68,
>
> > I have retrieved some data from external source and it put to my
> > worksheet in one column numbers in text format and if I want to work
> > with numbers (add, substract, etc.) I need it to convert to number format.
> >
>
> After changing the format, you need to convince Excel you meant what you
> said <grin>:
>
> - select an out-of-the-way empty cell, hit copy.
> - select all your cells with numbers-to-be
> - hit edit, paste-special and select the "Add" operation.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jan Karel Pieterse
> Excel MVP
> http://www.jkp-ads.com
>
>

Hi Merlin68,

> thanks Jan Karel however I tried and failed. Perhaps I make some mistakes but
> pls can you go step by step once more ? Really I do not understand why it
> doesn´t work for me and believe what you typed is trues. Thanks once more
>

Are you sure the numbers do not contain any leading and/or trailing characters?

Another thing to try is to select the "numbers", then hit Data, Text-to-columns
and click finish.

Regards,

Jan Karel Pieterse
Excel MVP
http://www.jkp-ads.com

it is ok just now and pls take my apologize, i haven´t noticed i had dot
instead of comma for decimal separation, it was the reason of failing ..
so it´s ok .. have a nice day .. bye from slovakia

„Jan Karel Pieterse" napĂ*sal (napĂ*sala):

> Hi Merlin68,
>
> > thanks Jan Karel however I tried and failed. Perhaps I make some mistakes but
> > pls can you go step by step once more ? Really I do not understand why it
> > doesn´t work for me and believe what you typed is trues. Thanks once more
> >
>
> Are you sure the numbers do not contain any leading and/or trailing characters?
>
> Another thing to try is to select the "numbers", then hit Data, Text-to-columns
> and click finish.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jan Karel Pieterse
> Excel MVP
> http://www.jkp-ads.com
>
>