Can't get excel to recognize numbers and not text in a cell

[TylerGraham]

It is probably a simple answer that i just have not been able to see.

I have converted everything in my spread sheet to inches, then did the formula to find square ft. - No Problems there

What i need to do is " lets say A1 = 66 and A2 = 66 The Sq. Ft. it gives me is A3 = 30.25. I need to specify what the measurements are for. So instead of A1 = 66, I want it to say A1 = 66 Long and A2 = 66 Wide.

The problem is when i add text into the cell it gives me a value error.

Is it possible to have "66 long" in a cell and have excel only recognize the "66" and not the "long" for formula purposes?

I am somewhat new to this. I imagine its simple, but the solution is evading me.

Thanks,

 

[skywriter]

Type 66 in your cell then go to format cells, I have Excel 2010 and if I right click on a cell it comes up on the context menu, or I can hit control + 1.

Choose custom and under the word "Type" enter the following 0 "long", above this where it is says sample you will see that your cell is going to show 66 long. The underlying number in the cell is still just 66 and you can do whatever math you want to with it.

 

[ghrain22]

=LEFT(A1,SEARCH(" ",A1)-1) would strip out everything after the space.

 

[TylerGraham]

Skywriter, That's exactly what i was looking for. I just might make it home from work on time.

Thanks,

 

[skywriter]

Skywriter, That's exactly what i was looking for. I just might make it home from work on time.

Thanks,

My pleasure.