"Harlan Grove" wrote in message
ps.com...
"T. Valko" wrote...
...
That's because the TEXT function will only apply number formats.

A1 contains the text abc. B1 contains the formula

=TEXT(A1,"0;-0;\<0\;\-\-@\-\-")

and returns --abc--. At least running Excel 2003 SP1. Which version
are you running? [Surely you would have tested this.]


I did, but obviously it wasn't extensive enough.

I stand corrected!

As Rick noted, it works just as well without the slashes: (not extensively
tested)

=TEXT(A1,"0;-0;<0;--@--")

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP