Why text to columns works

[Craig92604]

I use vlookup alot. On some occasions the formula does not work. When I highlight the lookup value column and do a text to column then the formula works. Can anyone explain why this works?

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

I expect that the lookup value is a number and the lookup range contains text entries that look like numbers. Text to Columns coerces text entries that look like numbers into true numbers.

You can use the ISNUMBER function to test whether a cell contains a number (TRUE) or text (FALSE).

 

[Craig92604]

Thanks Again Andrew!