I am using a program that limits the number of characters in a product model
number to 12 characters. my file currently contains may line items with
model numbers that exceed this limit.

how do I format the column to shorten the number of characters? I have
tried using the data validation but it did nothing for me. can you help?

Hi,

Data Validation should work for all new entries after you turn it on. For
items that were already entered you need to manually correct those. How you
do that depends on which 12 characters you want to retain, for example the
first 12 or the last 12.

Suppose your entries start in cell A2, then in an empty column enter the
formula =LEFT(A2,12) or =RIGHT(A2,12) and copy it down as far as necessary.
Convert these formulas to values and replace data in column A with these new
results.

--
Cheers,
Shane Devenshire


"greatdeals_007" wrote:

I am using a program that limits the number of characters in a product model
number to 12 characters. my file currently contains may line items with
model numbers that exceed this limit.

how do I format the column to shorten the number of characters? I have
tried using the data validation but it did nothing for me. can you help?

hi
you cannot use formating to shorten the number of characters in a cell.
formating just changes the way the data looks, not the data inself.
but if you DO need to reduce the number of characters a column of cells then
look at the text to columns function. this splits data in a column into
different columns.
on the menu bar...Data text to columns...
you can probable use the fixed width function and snap a line at the number
of characters you need.
note: Add a column to the right of the column you want to parce for excel
will delete data to the right at parce.

regards
FSt11

"greatdeals_007" wrote:

I am using a program that limits the number of characters in a product model
number to 12 characters. my file currently contains may line items with
model numbers that exceed this limit.

how do I format the column to shorten the number of characters? I have
tried using the data validation but it did nothing for me. can you help?

THANK YOU THIS WORKED!!!

"FSt1" wrote:

hi
you cannot use formating to shorten the number of characters in a cell.
formating just changes the way the data looks, not the data inself.
but if you DO need to reduce the number of characters a column of cells then
look at the text to columns function. this splits data in a column into
different columns.
on the menu bar...Data text to columns...
you can probable use the fixed width function and snap a line at the number
of characters you need.
note: Add a column to the right of the column you want to parce for excel
will delete data to the right at parce.

regards
FSt11

"greatdeals_007" wrote:

I am using a program that limits the number of characters in a product model
number to 12 characters. my file currently contains may line items with
model numbers that exceed this limit.

how do I format the column to shorten the number of characters? I have
tried using the data validation but it did nothing for me. can you help?

Hi,

From main menu : Data Validation
Allow Text Length
Fill in the fields ...

HTH

Formatting and data|validation won't do anything to the existing values.

You could use a formula in another cell like:
=left(a1,12)
to grab the leftmost 12 characters.

greatdeals_007 wrote:

I am using a program that limits the number of characters in a product model
number to 12 characters. my file currently contains may line items with
model numbers that exceed this limit.

how do I format the column to shorten the number of characters? I have
tried using the data validation but it did nothing for me. can you help?

--

Dave Peterson