Microsoft KB Archive/49223

{| = Excel: Widening Cell Doesn't Convert Scientific Notation =
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Last reviewed: November 2, 1994

Article ID: Q49223

SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel versions 1.50 and earlier, expanding the column width will cause a number in the General format that appears in scientific notation to revert to displaying all digits.

However, expanding the column width in version 3.00 or 2.20 does not cause the number to change from scientific notation when the number is more than 11 characters. When the number is less than 11 characters, expanding the column width will cause all digits of the number to be displayed.

To display the numbers correctly, use a number format other than General.

MORE INFORMATION
When entering a number that is more than 11 characters in length, Excel 3.00 and 2.20 enter the number in scientific notation. For example, 3.3333E+11 is the result of entering the number 333333333333.
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