Entering "+12345" values "as is"

[wisekat]

I have a column in which I need to enter values starting with "+" followed by some numbers. I formatted this column as text (applied the Text format in the Format Cells dialog for the whole column). When I enter a value in an empty cell, all is ok _ I see it "as is". However, if I try to enter a new value in a cell that had a value, my value is converted to a numeric representation in the exponential format. For instance, if I enter "+44100055555", I see "4.41E+10" in the cell and "44100055555" in the formula bar when I select this cell.
To save the value "as is", I need to preface it with " ' " ("'+44100055555"). Is there a way to avoid using this special character and enter required cell values "as is"?

 

[AkaTrouble]

edit misread

 

[Tetra201]

Try custom-formatting your column as

+#0;-#0;0

 

[wisekat]

A custom format for text data? Will it work for other cell value templates? What, if they do not start with "+"?

BTW, I have managed to overcome the problem in the cells with existing values using copy/paste. I entered the required value in a new cell and then did cut/paste to the cell that had value. This helps. It seems, the problem is related to the " ' " charcater.