Formatting numbers as text
 

I am using a vlookup function. The lookup source is a number displayed as
text. In order for the vlookup to work, I need the change the format of the
number in the lookup range to text but the lookup produces the N/A error
unless I go into each newly formatted number and press F2 to edit the cell.
In essence the F2 function puts in the " ' " in the cell so it now recognizes
the cell as text.

Question... How can I do a mass update to get the newly text formated cells
to show the " ' ". My alternative to go to each cell and hit the F2 key. I
have too much data to do this efficiently.

Formatting numbers as text
 

You can use Text to Columns from the Data menu.
Specify "Text" as the column format in the wizard.
--
Jim Cone
San Francisco, USA
http://www.realezsites.com/bus/primitivesoftware
(Excel Add-ins / Excel Programming)




"JeffH"

wrote in message
I am using a vlookup function. The lookup source is a number displayed as
text. In order for the vlookup to work, I need the change the format of the
number in the lookup range to text but the lookup produces the N/A error
unless I go into each newly formatted number and press F2 to edit the cell.
In essence the F2 function puts in the " ' " in the cell so it now recognizes
the cell as text.

Question... How can I do a mass update to get the newly text formated cells
to show the " ' ". My alternative to go to each cell and hit the F2 key. I
have too much data to do this efficiently.