oh, i forgot to add - once you've changed all the values to 5 characters -
you can then limit what can be entered into the cell using data /
validation - choose the column, choose data / validation / allow - whole
numbers, less than 100000
this will then stop numbers with 7 digit from begin entered.

Cheers
JulieD


"JulieD" wrote in message
...
Hi

formatting won't solve your problem - but i can be done using a "helper"
column
say your numbers are in column A in B1 type
=left(A1,5)
move the mouse over the bottom right hand corner of cell B1 and your mouse
should change to a + now double click and the formula will be filled down
for you. Click on the letter B to select the column and choose copy,
click on cell A1 and choose edit / paste special - values - click OK and
now delete column B

Cheers
JulieD

"Gabriele" wrote in message
...
I am trying to format a column so I can enter 5 digits only. It has
between 5
and 7 digit numbers in it right now and I need to delete the remaining
ones.
It is about 350 numbers, so it would be a lot of work to go into each
cell
and delete the remaning numbers. Is therea way I can format the whole
column
to allow 5 digits? The same happened with letters. I had codes in it that
consisted of numbers and letters and the client only wants the first two
letters to remain. How can it be formatted so only 2 characters are
allowed
to keep me from having to enter each cell separately?