using 2003. I am looking up a number (stored as a string) on another
worksheet and returning another series of numbers (also stored as a
string) - ie
lookup return
411140 263791-411140E
Problem - Excel formats the returned data as: 2.63791E+11. It
apparently sees it as a mathmatical subtraction of an exponential
number even tho it is a text.
It doesn't seem to matter how I format the cell. When I format it as
text, the formula does not work. (requires General to execute
formula). Executing a "text to columns" does the same thing. I need
the returned data to show - 263791-411140E not an exponential number.
Excel >> Help with vlookup
You may have formatted the cells as text, buy your 263791-411140E is still a
number.
Try selecting that cell, format it as text (just to be sure), then hit F2,
followed by enter.
You'll see the =vlookup() formula return a text string.
Formatting the cells doesn't change the underlying value of the cell. It won't
convert numbers to text or text to numbers.
>
> using 2003. I am looking up a number (stored as a string) on another
> worksheet and returning another series of numbers (also stored as a
> string) - ie
>
> lookup return
> 411140 263791-411140E
>
> Problem - Excel formats the returned data as: 2.63791E+11. It
> apparently sees it as a mathmatical subtraction of an exponential
> number even tho it is a text.
> It doesn't seem to matter how I format the cell. When I format it as
> text, the formula does not work. (requires General to execute
> formula). Executing a "text to columns" does the same thing. I need
> the returned data to show - 263791-411140E not an exponential number.
>
> Anybody know what I need to do?
>
> Glen
