Microsoft KB Archive/74289

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

XL: Converting a Column of Numbers into Text
Last reviewed: December 30, 1996

Article ID: Q74289

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
 * Microsoft Excel for OS/2 version 2.2, 3.0
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0

SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, you can convert a column of numbers to text by using the Text number format. In versions earlier than Microsoft Excel 5.0, you must use a formula to change numbers to text.

MORE INFORMATION
To change numbers to text, follow the appropriate procedure below.

Microsoft Excel 5.0

 * 1) Select the range of numbers you want to change.
 * 2) On the Format menu, click Cells.
 * 3) Click the Number Tab.
 * 4) Click the Text category and click OK.
 * 5) In order to apply the Text number format, you must reenter the contents in the cells. To do this select the cell, press F2, and then press ENTER. Do this for each cell in the range.

Versions of Microsoft Excel Earlier Than Version 5.0
If you are using a version of Microsoft Excel earlier than version 5.0, you can use the following example to convert numbers to text.

Example
To change the numbers in cells A1:A10 from a number format to a text format, do the following:

 If there is data in column B, select column B and click Insert on the Edit menu to create a new blank column. Select cells B1:B10.  In the formula bar, type the following formula: =TEXT(A1:A10,&quot;0&quot;) NOTE: The above formula must be entered as an array formula. To enter a formula as an array formula in Microsoft Excel for Windows or Microsoft Excel for OS/2, press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER. In Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, press COMMAND+ENTER. The values in cells B1:B10 will be the numbers in A1:A10 converted to text.  On the Edit menu, click Copy. Select cell A1. On the Edit menu, click Paste Special. Click Values and click OK.

The text values will replace the number values. You can delete the values from column B by clicking Delete on the Edit menu.