Custom Format Cells

I have an eleven digit number that I pull from another program that displays like this 11111222233. I need the number to be displayed like this...11111 2222 33. I highlight the column, select format, cells. Then from the Number tab I select the category custom and type 00000 0000 00. The information in my column does not change, however. I have to double click each individual cell to get the formating to take place. Is there a way to make the formating occur without having to double click each cell? It is ok when I only have 3 or so numbers, but sometimes I have hundreds. I have also tried formating the cells prior to pasting. I tried formating the column and then copy/paste into another column. Nothing seems to work.

Your solution works for me. But you can also try

##### #### ##

Not sure what is causing that.. If you apply format to whole column, it should work.

Maybe try this.. select column and go to Data|Text to Columns and click Finish.

Then try your custom format.

I'm curious to know Which one of the solution solved your problem.