change text to values

[mypig7]

I'm trying to do a vlookup involving some numbers.

The numbers I'm using to lookup, are behaving like text. And so the Vlookup doesn't work.

If I overtype the numbers they behave like numbers. But there are too many to type.

e.g. in cell A1 the number is 1234. A vlookup involving this no. wont work.
If I overtype in cell A1, with 1234. The vlookup works.

Help.

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

Click the column header, choose Data|Text to Columns and click Finish.

 

[mypig7]

how does it work

Thanks. It works.

How does it work.
It moves all the numbers to the left. i.e. just like text and yet it works.

Any number I type in an empty cell aligns to the right by default. I thought all numbers did this.

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

If the cell is formatted as Text when you enter a number, a text string is what you will get. Text to Columns coerces the text entries to numbers, but the format remains as Text so they are left justified. Format them as eg General to have them right justified.

 

[mypig7]

excellent ...many thanks