Changing the cell format doesn't change existing cell content

[Kate]

When I import data into Excel 2003, the numbers need to be reformatted so
that they can be calculated. But when I highlight the range and reformat it
to a number format, it doesn't register the change. I have to click inside
the cell contents (hit F2) for it to 'accept' the new format. This
complicates things when there is a lot of data.

Any ideas? Thanks for any help.

 

[JLatham]

This could make things faster for you. After importing the data, choose
another cell that is formatted as General or a number and enter 1 (the number
one).

Select the cell with the 1 in it and use Edit --> Copy (or [Ctrl]+[C]) and
then select all of the cells you imported that need reformatting and use
Edit --> Paste Special
and choose two options in the dialog: 'Values' and in the lower area
choose 'Multiply'.

That should get all numbers that were displayed as text to convert to real
numbers.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jim Thomlinson]

Your numbers aren't numbers. They are text. When you Click inside and then
leave the cell XL is doing an imlicit conversion for you from Text to number.

If your error checking is turned on then you will have a green triangle in
the upper left corner of the cell. One of the options is convert to number.
Highlight the cells and make the conversion.

To turn Error checking on Tools | Options | Error Checking Tab -> check
Background Error Checking