Numeric Format Changes From 1 Cell to the Next?

[Guest]

I have a client with a list of numbers, all 15 digits long, in one column.
All cells are formatted as numeric "General". All cells display all 15
digits, except one. This one cell displays the number in scientific
notation, even though the cell appears to be formatted as numeric "General".
All numbers have a leading zero, which is displayed in all cells, except this
one cell. An example of the data is as follows:

What was Entered What is being Displayed

020801400000000 020801400000000
020801400880000 2.08014E+13

We are using Excel 2000. Can anyone explain why this is happening and what
to do to correct it?

All help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Excel will display the leading zero(s) only when treating the entry as text.
The cell that is shown in scientific notation is seen by Excel as a number.

Your best bet is proobably to explicitly format ALL the cells as Text, then
re-enter the one that is being displayed in scientific notation; otherwise
you'll evenutally lose the leading zero(s).

 

[Guest]

Thank you. That is exactly what the problem was.