imported data not recognised in formulae

[Guest]

We have a software package from which we can export data (numbers and text)
to MS Excel. When i try an run a simple "IF" formula on the imported data,
excel always returns a negative result.
For example, the imported data cell has content "name00", and i put in a
regular IF formula to use this data, it is never recognized as *true*. If i
manually re-type the information into the cell then it is picked up - and a
*true* result is returned!
If i paste special the data into excel i get the option of unicode or text,
or i have the choice to export the data directly. None of these three options
has helped and i am left unable to use the data i require!
would be grateful of any ideas.

 

[Otto Moehrbach]

The first thing that comes to mind is leading and trailing spaces and
excessive intermediate spaces. This is common in imported data. To Excel a
space is just another character. It is not an empty space. You need to
eliminate those spaces. Here's how:
Say your data is from A1 down and Column B is blank. In B1 type
"=Trim(A1)" without the quotes. Drag this formula down as far as the Column
A data goes. Select all the data in Column B and do Edit - Copy. Now
select cell A1. Do Edit - PasteSpecial - Values. Click OK. Delete Column
B.
Now see if you have what you want. HTH Otto

 

[2rrs]

You can also use the replace feature as shown here:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group...544f3a681cf/ca6d88671983a8e3#ca6d88671983a8e3

I found the "alt+255" worked best.