Need quick answer simple question

[Beachson]

I have a column of phone number and instead of 1112223333 I would like to make every number look like this (111) 222-3333...how do I do this quickly

 

[c_m_s_jr]

Change the formatting look under special and you should see one for phone #

 

[Beachson]

what if I do not want to change the format how do I do it without changing the format

 

[c_m_s_jr]

Well format is the fastest way, another way would be a formula, but the format will only change what is displayed, the actual cell value would not change.

 

[Beachson]

then If I wanted to past or merge that column on another spreadsheet or merge that column with another how would I just copy the text and not the format

 

[Beachson]

I just want the look not the format really so the format serves no purnpose but to make it look a certain way

 

[VoG]

Huh?

Type them in as you want them.

 

[Beachson]

I know it sounds wierd someone just asked me for this and I formatted it but the format is not neccesary all the data is typed in already I just want to put the ( ) and - into them all

 

[Beachson]

they said they couldnt merge the columns or copy paste and I assumed that you could special copy just visible cells to not carry the format over...right???

 

[c_m_s_jr]

Not sure I understand what you mean. Here are two different approaches. The first is by formatting the cells to show (111) 222-3333 but the value would remain as 1112223333.

The second you would create a new column with the actual value being (111) 222-33333

Excel Workbook
	A	B	C
1	1112223333	(111) 222-3333	(with formatting)
2	1112223333	(111) 222-3333	As formula
Sheet1