Excel Changes Long Number

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KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#208571 17-Feb-2017 12:26

Hi,

When u punch in long numbers into excel cell, it changes it to zero or a formula thing.

For Example:

my original number is 881654014321, but excel changes it to either "8.81654E+11" or "881654000000" when i save it.

Also when i change back the cell format for "8.81654E+11" to "number", it changes to "881654000000" (which is not even my original number)

The problem is , i have to do CVS uploads and they show as error because "part number no found".

Any permanent fix for this ?

Thanks in advance..

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#1721773 17-Feb-2017 12:29

Format cell as text.

RunningMan

8969 posts

Uber Geek

#1721774 17-Feb-2017 12:29

Change the format of the cell to "number" with 0 decimal places

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1721777 17-Feb-2017 12:34

dolsen:

Format cell as text.

If i change to text, it does the same thing and changes to all zeroes at the end.

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1721778 17-Feb-2017 12:34

RunningMan:

Change the format of the cell to "number" with 0 decimal places

Already done that.

But number appears with all zeroes and not what i really entered.

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

dolsen

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#1721781 17-Feb-2017 12:37

Sulco:

dolsen:

Format cell as text.

If i change to text, it does the same thing and changes to all zeroes at the end.

Are you sure you have changed it correctly? From excel, "Text format cells are treated as text even when a number is in the cell. The cell is displayed exactly as entered."

Putting your number into excel here, the number is exactly as entered.

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1721789 17-Feb-2017 12:43

It does not change for me .!!!!!

what am i doing wrong ??

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dolsen

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#1721803 17-Feb-2017 12:54

Sulco:

It does not change for me .!!!!!

what am i doing wrong ??

So, right click on the cell(s).

Select format cells

Select text under the category option on the number tab.

Edit - I chose text as they way I think you are using this is basically taking a part number from an external source and using it basically as a string. If you are doing calculations on it, using the number with 0 decimal places would be the better approach. Some people may say it the is better approach regardless - I wouldn't necessarily argue against that.

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Brumfondl

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#1721804 17-Feb-2017 12:55

I just tried formatting the cell as a number with 0 decimal places and it worked perfectly. Using Excel 2016 on a PC through Office 365.

ggsten

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1721810 17-Feb-2017 13:02

Try a single quote before, i.e. '881654014321

RunningMan

8969 posts

Uber Geek

#1721814 17-Feb-2017 13:07

Using the number you provided, it is displaying correctly for me when the cell is formatted as number, with 0 decimal places.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1721822 17-Feb-2017 13:18

Microsoft knowledge base article about Excel truncating number values to 15 significant figures, leading remaining places as 0. From your example, though, it looks like your number is only 12 digits to begin with. What version of Excel are you using? Both the prior suggestions here - Number with 0 decimal places, or Text with a leading ' - display your example value correctly for me in both Excel 2013 and Excel 2016, as does setting it to Custom with a Type of 0.

dolsen

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#1721824 17-Feb-2017 13:23

Inphinity:

Both the prior suggestions here - Number with 0 decimal places, or Text with a leading ' - display your example value correctly for me in both Excel 2013 and Excel 2016, as does setting it to Custom with a Type of 0.

Just to clarify, a text field does not need the leading '. A general field does.

Having as text field may help protect the value from being automagically corrected / updated by Excel for an inexperienced user.

Jedsdad

120 posts

Master Geek

#1721827 17-Feb-2017 13:31

When you are trying to import the CSV file how are you doing it?

Are you going to Date/From Text in a blank Excel spreadsheet

Select what row you want to import from

Click "My Data has Headers" if csv has headers

Select Next

Select whether the CSV file is delimited by Tabs or by comma etc.

Select Next

Select the column that is showing the value you are having issues with?

Change it from General to Text

Click Finish

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1721837 17-Feb-2017 13:56

Inphinity:

Microsoft knowledge base article about Excel truncating number values to 15 significant figures, leading remaining places as 0. From your example, though, it looks like your number is only 12 digits to begin with. What version of Excel are you using? Both the prior suggestions here - Number with 0 decimal places, or Text with a leading ' - display your example value correctly for me in both Excel 2013 and Excel 2016, as does setting it to Custom with a Type of 0.

i am using Microsoft excel for MAC 2011 and it says its up to date.

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1721839 17-Feb-2017 14:02

i did format the cell to number by right clicking and format.

Then save the file as .csv

When i reopen the file, it has again changed back to 8.81654E.11

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

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