Text or Number

Hi all

I have an Excel spreadsheet which was import from another package. I wanted
to perform a sort but get the following message:
__________________________________________________ ________________
The following sort key may not sort as expected because it contains some
numbers formatted as text (then says which column)

It gives a choice to either sort if it looks like a number (which works) or
sort text and number different
__________________________________________________ ________________

Although it works - I have tried to convert the whole column to number but
it will not change from text to number (frozen).

Anyone know why (mainly just curious!)

any thoughts appreciated

Kind regards

Rexmann

hi,
check and set if any of the numbers have an apostophe in
front of it. if so - delete it out. formating wont do that.

-----Original Message-----
Hi all

I have an Excel spreadsheet which was import from another
package. I wanted
to perform a sort but get the following message:
_________________________________________________ _________
________
The following sort key may not sort as expected because
it contains some
numbers formatted as text (then says which column)

It gives a choice to either sort if it looks like a
number (which works) or
sort text and number different
_________________________________________________ _________
________

Although it works - I have tried to convert the whole
column to number but
it will not change from text to number (frozen).

Anyone know why (mainly just curious!)

any thoughts appreciated

Kind regards

Rexmann

.

Just changing the format does not change the underlying value.

The numbers are text.

Format an empty cell as General then copy it.

Select your range and Paste SpecialAddOKEsc.

Now you should have real numbers.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP

On Wed, 25 Aug 2004 06:41:03 -0700, "rexmann"
wrote:

Hi all

I have an Excel spreadsheet which was import from another package. I wanted
to perform a sort but get the following message:
_________________________________________________ _________________
The following sort key may not sort as expected because it contains some
numbers formatted as text (then says which column)

It gives a choice to either sort if it looks like a number (which works) or
sort text and number different
_________________________________________________ _________________

Although it works - I have tried to convert the whole column to number but
it will not change from text to number (frozen).

Anyone know why (mainly just curious!)

any thoughts appreciated

Kind regards

Rexmann