Alden wrote:
We have a software package from which we can export data to MS Excel.

However, when exported it arrives in Excel as text. Even though they
are
numbers, they act like text. The only way to convert them text to
numbers is
to edit the cell (press F2) and hit enter. I've tried every other
method of
copying and pasting (even pasting special), but nothing seems to
work. Any
ideas?

I use ASAP Utilities add in. One of its many features will change text
numbers to numbers in a range (or do the reverse). Go here...
http://www.asaputilities.com/