Text from internet not registering?

[sobrien]

I have downloaded a list of names from the internet that when cut and pasted come in the form of a blue link. Let's say they are in column A. In B1 I have the formula =A1 and then that gets rid of the link. However in another sheet I have a list of names that are spelt the same however when I want to do a countif or vlookup its not identifying the names? Do I need to convert the names to a different format - what am I missing here? The most visial thing I notice is there is slightly more room between the start of the name and the edge of the box (not a space though)

thanks

 

[Willmonbo]

try the following, select the linked data set, copy and then do a paste special and select past values.