Custom number and text format

[margamo]

I have a column that contains numbers with 2 decimal places such as 408.00, once in a while I want to enter V08.00. If I format the column in General or Text I lose the decimal places. I also have it set to Data validatation of a number between 1 and 999 with 2 decimal places. Can you please tell me how to format the column so it will display numbers and characters?

[NorthMelbourne]

Because you have numbers and text in the same column you need to use a format that recognises both.

1) Highlight the column and select FORMAT/CELLS
2) Click on the NUMBER tab and select the CUSTOM category
3) In the text box under the TYPE heading enter;
#,##0.00;[Red]#,##0.00;0.00;@

To interpret the above, the ; symbol separates each format. The first format is for positive numbers, the second for negative numbers (with a colour), the third format is for a 0 (zero). The final format is for text. The @ symbol represents the text in the cell. You can enter a text format such as (including " character), "The final value is " @

Hope that this helps out.
Cheers
NM

[Yogi Anand]

Hi margamo and NorthMelbourne:
I think CUSTOM formatting is not the answer here. He could have the cells formatted as NUMBER with 2 decimal places and that would permit numbers with 2 decimal places, viz 408.00, as well as alpha-numerics such as V08.00 -- I believe margamo's real problem is that he says he has set up a validation rule that says entries must be numbers between 1 and 999.
So, margamo: if you want to have entries such as 408.00 and V08.00 to be permitted you have to modify your validation rule.

HTH
Please post back if it works for you ... otherwise explain a little further and then let us take it from there!