19-digit figures

[Sigh]

I have a list of 19-digit figures, when typed into a cell the last three digits change to zeroes, does anyone know why this happens and how to avoid it? The figures are invoice numbers which need to be sorted numerically, so not 'real' numbers, maybe there is a better way to do this?
Thanks.

 

[pgc01]

Hi Sigh

Excel accepts a maximum of 15 significant digits in a number.

You have to enter the data as text

Either
1 - format the text as text and then enter the number

or

2 - preceed the number with a '

 

[Marcol]

Excel will only handle 15 digits, after that it will either convert to scientific notation and/or only add zeros.
See this link for work-a-rounds
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/269370

 

[Sigh]

That's very helpful, thank you both for the quick responses!

 

[pgc01]

I'm glad it helped.

Sorry for the typo:

1 - format the cell as text and then enter the number