removing dashes changes test into number

[Guest]

i have columns of numbers like 34510-03220-E0
that the cells DO say are formated as text. how do i remove the dashes
without it changing automaticly into a number format? i want it to read
3451003220E0 not 3.45E+09

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

i have columns of numbers like 34510-03220-E0
that the cells DO say are formated as text. how do i remove the dashes
without it changing automaticly into a number format? i want it to read
3451003220E0 not 3.45E+09

I think the SUBSTITUTE function will return a text string without conversion:

=SUBSTITUTE(A1,"-","")


--ron

 

[Dave Peterson]

Maybe you can use a helper column of cells with formulas like:

=substitute(a1,"-","")

 

[Guest]

One way ..

Assuming data in A1 down,
try in B1:
=SUBSTITUTE(A1,"-","")
Copy B1 down