[SOLVED] Change number format from text to number?

[Scot]

Using Excel 2002, WinXP
I was given a spreadsheet with a very long column of numbers. Each cell
displays the little green mark in the upper left corner. The dropdown arrow
shows "number stored as text." When I then choose "convert to number" the
number converts from text to number, which is what I want. But I don't have
time to manually change each of the 6,000+ cells. If I highlight several
cells, and do Format/Cells/Number/Number, the green mark in the upper left
corner remains and the numbers in the cells are NOT converted to numbers but
remain as text.

Is there a way to globally change all numbers from text to number without
having to manually do it one cell at a time?

Thanks,

[Gord Dibben]

Scot

Format a blank cell as General.

Copy that cell using Edit>Copy.

Select your column of numbers and Edit>Paste Special>Add>OK>Esc.


Gord Dibben Excel MVP

On Thu, 01 Dec 2005 01:49:54 GMT, "Scot" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Using Excel 2002, WinXP
>I was given a spreadsheet with a very long column of numbers. Each cell
>displays the little green mark in the upper left corner. The dropdown arrow
>shows "number stored as text." When I then choose "convert to number" the
>number converts from text to number, which is what I want. But I don't have
>time to manually change each of the 6,000+ cells. If I highlight several
>cells, and do Format/Cells/Number/Number, the green mark in the upper left
>corner remains and the numbers in the cells are NOT converted to numbers but
>remain as text.
>
>Is there a way to globally change all numbers from text to number without
>having to manually do it one cell at a time?
>
>Thanks,
>

[gls858]

Scot wrote:
> Using Excel 2002, WinXP
> I was given a spreadsheet with a very long column of numbers. Each cell
> displays the little green mark in the upper left corner. The dropdown arrow
> shows "number stored as text." When I then choose "convert to number" the
> number converts from text to number, which is what I want. But I don't have
> time to manually change each of the 6,000+ cells. If I highlight several
> cells, and do Format/Cells/Number/Number, the green mark in the upper left
> corner remains and the numbers in the cells are NOT converted to numbers but
> remain as text.
>
> Is there a way to globally change all numbers from text to number without
> having to manually do it one cell at a time?
>
> Thanks,
>
>
I use a free tool called ASAP utilities. I find it very useful.
It does dozens of everyday functions easily.

http://www.asap-utilities.com/

Standard disclaimer no association, no profit from yada yada.

gls858