You cannot format text that way, you would need a help column and a formula

=LEFT(A1,3)&"-"&MID(A1,4,4)&"-"&RIGHT(A1,1)


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Regards,


Peo Sjoblom


"Marta" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I'm trying to custom format a column but nothing happens when I apply the
formatting. The column contains entries such as this:
N163975A
B142237K
B141917K
B144973K
B189601K
and I'm trying to format them so they look like this:
N16-3975-A
B14-2237-K
B14-1917-K
B14-4973-K
B18-9601-K

I've confirmed the tools/options/view and the formula box is unchecked. I
have also cleared all formatting before trying to apply my own and still
nothing.

TIA,
Marta