Green Triangle - only appears after i click on the cell

Ok, so I have researched for a number of months and I can find all sorts of information reg what the green triangles are and wny they appear. But I have a unique problem.

I must import data into a database. The data is SSN's and dollar amounts. Both fields are obvoisly numbers and must be formated at text. I highlight the rage of cells, click format, text, then click ok. This left justifies the data as happens when numbers are formated as text but no green tirangle appears. Only after clicking on the cell and hitting the enter key does the green triangle appear. I do nothing other than click on the cell and hit enter. And the database will only accept the data if the green triangle is showing in the upper left.

Any ideas on how to do this other than clicking on each cell and hitting enter?