Entering numbers

[Guest]

Trying to enter a 16 digit number (credit card) into a cell. System changes
the last digit to an arbitrary and unwanted zero. Formatting cells has no
effect. How do I avoid this apparent limitation?? Thanks.

(e-mail address removed)

 

[Guest]

Format the Cell as text before you type in it.
Excel only recognizes 15 significant digits. Credit card numbers aren't for
calucultions, anyway.
Select the Cell (or Cells) and go to:
Format | Cells, on the Number Tab choose Text.

tj

 

[Dave Peterson]

Excel keeps track of 15 significant digits--no more.

If you want 16 characters, you can preformat the cell as text
(format|cells|number tab) or you can start your entry with a leading
apostrophe: '1234567890123456

 

[Jan Karel Pieterse]

Hi Dusty7621,

Trying to enter a 16 digit number (credit card) into a cell. System changes
the last digit to an arbitrary and unwanted zero. Formatting cells has no
effect. How do I avoid this apparent limitation??

First format the cell as text or precede the number by a ' .

Regards,

Jan Karel Pieterse
Excel MVP
www.jkp-ads.com