I copied data from my online bank account and pasted it into Exel. I added a
formula to a cell to sum up certain currency in a column. I kept getting 0.
Then I figured out that if I retype the amount into each cell - it will add
them up. Doing this cell by cell really takes some time though. Anyone know
why it won't recognize the pasted figures, but does if I re enter them.

Thanx

Excel will often treat data from outside sources as text instead of numbers.
The text string "123" and the number 123 are not the same as far as Excel is
concerned. So, that is why your formula works when you retype the value,
you're replacing the text with a number.

Here's a quicker why to convert all of your data:

Enter a 1 into any empty cell
Copy that cell
Select all of your data to convert from text to numbers
From the Edit Menu, select "Paste Special"
Check the "Values" and "Multiply" options
Click OK
Delete the 1 you entered originally

By doing this, you convert anything that Excel can recognize as a number
into a number without changing any values.

HTH,
Elkar


"Renegade" wrote:

I copied data from my online bank account and pasted it into Exel. I added a
formula to a cell to sum up certain currency in a column. I kept getting 0.
Then I figured out that if I retype the amount into each cell - it will add
them up. Doing this cell by cell really takes some time though. Anyone know
why it won't recognize the pasted figures, but does if I re enter them.

Thanx

On Oct 12, 7:34 pm, Renegade
wrote:
I copied data from my online bank account and pasted it into Exel. I added a
formula to a cell to sum up certain currency in a column. I kept getting 0.
Then I figured out that if I retype the amount into each cell - it will add
them up. Doing this cell by cell really takes some time though. Anyone know
why it won't recognize the pasted figures, but does if I re enter them.

Thanx

Probably because they are coming over in text format. When you go
into the cell and hit enter, Excel sets it to a number format, thus
allowing it to sum correctly. A quick fix would be:
1-In a blank cell, enter the number 1
2-Select that cell and hit copy (Ctrl+C)
3-Select the range containing the values that you want to correct.
4-Select Edit|Paste Special
5-In the popup dialog box, select Multiply under the Operations
section
6-Click OK
7-Delete cell where you entered number 1

I did just what you said, and something else must be wrong. The numbers
stayed on the left side of the column and it didn't change my total sum.
Would the cell format have anything to do with it? I've tried General,
Number, Accountting and Currency.

I have found quite a few posts in here about importing or pasting data that
gets recognized as text, but they all say basically the same thing. Paste
Special and add 0 or multiply by 1.

Thanx Again.......

"Elkar" wrote:

Excel will often treat data from outside sources as text instead of numbers.
The text string "123" and the number 123 are not the same as far as Excel is
concerned. So, that is why your formula works when you retype the value,
you're replacing the text with a number.

Here's a quicker why to convert all of your data:

Enter a 1 into any empty cell
Copy that cell
Select all of your data to convert from text to numbers
From the Edit Menu, select "Paste Special"
Check the "Values" and "Multiply" options
Click OK
Delete the 1 you entered originally

By doing this, you convert anything that Excel can recognize as a number
into a number without changing any values.

HTH,
Elkar


"Renegade" wrote:

I copied data from my online bank account and pasted it into Exel. I added a
formula to a cell to sum up certain currency in a column. I kept getting 0.
Then I figured out that if I retype the amount into each cell - it will add
them up. Doing this cell by cell really takes some time though. Anyone know
why it won't recognize the pasted figures, but does if I re enter them.

Thanx

I've tried this a couple of different ways but it doesn't seem to do
anything. My numbers stay on the left hand side of the column and my total
doesn't change. If I type them in 1 at a time, the numbers move to the right
side of the column and my total increases.

Thanx Again..........

"JW" wrote:

On Oct 12, 7:34 pm, Renegade
wrote:
I copied data from my online bank account and pasted it into Exel. I added a
formula to a cell to sum up certain currency in a column. I kept getting 0.
Then I figured out that if I retype the amount into each cell - it will add
them up. Doing this cell by cell really takes some time though. Anyone know
why it won't recognize the pasted figures, but does if I re enter them.

Thanx

Probably because they are coming over in text format. When you go
into the cell and hit enter, Excel sets it to a number format, thus
allowing it to sum correctly. A quick fix would be:
1-In a blank cell, enter the number 1
2-Select that cell and hit copy (Ctrl+C)
3-Select the range containing the values that you want to correct.
4-Select Edit|Paste Special
5-In the popup dialog box, select Multiply under the Operations
section
6-Click OK
7-Delete cell where you entered number 1