Shortcut command converting cell entry

**plum** · 05-07-2011, 07:21 AM

Hi there,

I am looking for some help. One of my colleagues showed me a way to convert an entire column of numbers stored as text by using a command and I can't remember what it was.

It was to do with 're-entering' the value in the cell, something along the lines of tab+shift+enter and you had to go though each of the cells individually, however we discovered at the time if you highlighted the entire column and hit this command it converted the entire thing.

If anyone can tell me by tomorrow it would be much appreciated as I have tons of work to sort out!

Plum

**teylyn** · 05-07-2011, 07:32 AM

Hello,

select an empty cell and copy it.
Select the cells with numbers formatted as text, then use Paste Special and tick Add. Click OK and all the numbers stored as text will be turned into numbers.

Another way is to select the numbers stored as text and use Data > text to columns > Finish

Also make sure that the format of the cells is then set to General and not to Text.

cheers,

**plum** · 05-07-2011, 07:44 AM

Thanks most helpful.

However, do you know what this command was?

**martindwilson** · 05-07-2011, 08:03 AM

well here's a list !
http://excelshortcuts.co.uk/excel-keyboard-shortcuts/

**badgerbok** · 05-07-2011, 05:48 PM

I need to do a function that shows as an arrow.
ie if false then a down arrow, if true then an up arrow and if equal then an equal sign.
Can it be done and if so how?

**teylyn** · 05-08-2011, 04:11 AM

@plum >> However, do you know what this command was?

I've just explained it. You can use the keyboard shortcuts for copying the cell (Ctrl-C) and for Paste Special - Add (Alt-E S D - Enter)

If there was a shorter command for this, it may have been a macro, triggered with a keyboard shortcut.