Formatting cells?

[JonathanB2]

Hello,

This may be a dumb question, but in each cell I'm trying to enter to separate numbers (separated by a /). For example, one cell has 5/32, the next 12/300. However, no matter how I format the cell (general, number without decimals - even custom), it changes when I enter the numbers into it (some show as long decimals in the formula bar). Is there a way to avoid this? I've tried everything I know. I've tried several sheets to, just in case. I change the formatting, enter 2/349 and it instantly changes to another number. What am I doing wrong? Is it seeing it as a fraction or something?

Thanks!

J

[ARGK]

Hi
Have you tried prefixing any entry with a single apostrophe. This forces Excel to treat the entry as text and not a calculation.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Tony

[JonathanB2]

Hmm...do you mean like '2/443?

Is that the only way? I tried changing the formattign to text several times but excel ignores it (the formatting keeps changing).

[newdoverman]

I don't know if this works in 2003 or not but in 2010 if you pre-format the cell as text then enter the 5/32 it will remain as a fraction.

[JonathanB2]

Perfect - thanks all!

[ARGK]

Hello,

This may be a dumb question, but in each cell I'm trying to enter to separate numbers (separated by a /). For example, one cell has 5/32, the next 12/300. However, no matter how I format the cell (general, number without decimals - even custom), it changes when I enter the numbers into it (some show as long decimals in the formula bar). Is there a way to avoid this? I've tried everything I know. I've tried several sheets to, just in case. I change the formatting, enter 2/349 and it instantly changes to another number. What am I doing wrong? Is it seeing it as a fraction or something?

Thanks!

J

Hi
Your example is correct. You could also put a space either side if the "/".
Good luck.
Tony