Help with vlookup

[glen.e.mettler]

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

 

[Dave Peterson]

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.