How I can get Excel to NOT interpret the data in a cell?

[Guest]

No matter how I format the cell (as text, general, custom) Excel interprets the
data and transforms it (destroys it). It's often very useful, but in some
cases it is
not at all. Is there any way to turn off this feature unconditionally for a
range of
cells, or for the whole sheet?

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
either preformat the cell as 'Text' or enter the data with a leading
apostrophe. e.g. 'ddfftr

 

[Guest]

John:

Excel doesn't typically mess with the content of cells unless you give
it specific instructions to do so. Is conditional formatting in play? Have
you used autoformat on it? How about autocorrect? Is the cell truely
wiped-out or merely re-colored? If you hand-type something in the cell, what
happens to it once you leave that particular cell? Are you running any
macros? Are there any start-up macros being executed when you open the
workbook/worksheet?

Steve in Ohio

 

[Lady Layla]

You need to format the section before pulling the data into it

I presume you are complaining about Excel's decision to treat certain types of
#'s as dates ie 01-2180 is interpreted as 01/01/2180



: No matter how I format the cell (as text, general, custom) Excel interprets
the
: data and transforms it (destroys it). It's often very useful, but in some
: cases it is
: not at all. Is there any way to turn off this feature unconditionally for a
: range of
: cells, or for the whole sheet?

 

[Lady Layla]

Actually Excel does change the content of the cells if you do not format the
cells prior to putting the data in -- this is with Excel defaults on. I have
been fighting this problem for quite a while


: John:
:
: Excel doesn't typically mess with the content of cells unless you give
: it specific instructions to do so. Is conditional formatting in play? Have
: you used autoformat on it? How about autocorrect? Is the cell truely
: wiped-out or merely re-colored? If you hand-type something in the cell, what
: happens to it once you leave that particular cell? Are you running any
: macros? Are there any start-up macros being executed when you open the
: workbook/worksheet?
:
: Steve in Ohio
:
: "Tiger John" wrote:
:
: > No matter how I format the cell (as text, general, custom) Excel interprets
the
: > data and transforms it (destroys it). It's often very useful, but in some
: > cases it is
: > not at all. Is there any way to turn off this feature unconditionally for a
: > range of
: > cells, or for the whole sheet?