I have a large list of 10 digit phone numbers currently formatted as
1234567890. I would like to change them so area code and prefix is separated
by hyphen 123-456-7890. Is there a relatively simple way to do this with a
formula? Would having some of the numbers already changed to my desired
format affect how the formula runs?

Yes, there is a relatively simple way to change the phone number format using a formula in Microsoft Excel. Here are the steps:

1. Assuming that the phone numbers are in column A, insert a new column next to it (column B) where the new formatted phone numbers will be displayed.
2. In cell B1, enter the following formula:
   Formula:

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

3. Press Enter. The formula will split the phone number into three parts: the first three digits (the area code), the next three digits (the prefix), and the last four digits (the line number). It will then join these parts together with hyphens in the desired format.
4. Copy the formula down to the rest of the cells in column B to apply it to all the phone numbers in the list.

If some of the phone numbers are already in the desired format, the formula will still work. It will simply split the phone number into three parts and join them back together with hyphens, resulting in the same format.

Highlight column.. format Cells..

Custom

000-000-0000

Course, if you use Special, there is one for phone number that uses (201)
instead, so your choice.


"pete5440" wrote:

I have a large list of 10 digit phone numbers currently formatted as
1234567890. I would like to change them so area code and prefix is separated
by hyphen 123-456-7890. Is there a relatively simple way to do this with a
formula? Would having some of the numbers already changed to my desired
format affect how the formula runs?

Insert a helper column and enter the following formula, replacing cell A1 in
the example with the first cell containing your phone numbers:

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

Copy down the help column.

Copy all the formulas in the helper column and move the cell pointer to the
first cell containing your original phone numbers. Right click on the cell,
select PASTE SPECIAL, click the VALUES option button and click the OK command
button to return to the worksheet.

Delete the helper column when done.
--
Kevin Backmann


"pete5440" wrote:

I have a large list of 10 digit phone numbers currently formatted as
1234567890. I would like to change them so area code and prefix is separated
by hyphen 123-456-7890. Is there a relatively simple way to do this with a
formula? Would having some of the numbers already changed to my desired
format affect how the formula runs?

Did you catch the part where the OP said some numbers are already formatted
as xxx-xxx-xxxx?
--
John C


"Kevin B" wrote:

Insert a helper column and enter the following formula, replacing cell A1 in
the example with the first cell containing your phone numbers:

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

Copy down the help column.

Copy all the formulas in the helper column and move the cell pointer to the
first cell containing your original phone numbers. Right click on the cell,
select PASTE SPECIAL, click the VALUES option button and click the OK command
button to return to the worksheet.

Delete the helper column when done.
--
Kevin Backmann


"pete5440" wrote:

I have a large list of 10 digit phone numbers currently formatted as
1234567890. I would like to change them so area code and prefix is separated
by hyphen 123-456-7890. Is there a relatively simple way to do this with a
formula? Would having some of the numbers already changed to my desired
format affect how the formula runs?

And oh, having -'s in some wouldn't make a difference unless they aren't set
the same as your desired cells. If so, just do a Find - then Replace with
nothing

"Sean Timmons" wrote:

Highlight column.. format Cells..

Custom

000-000-0000

Course, if you use Special, there is one for phone number that uses (201)
instead, so your choice.


"pete5440" wrote:

I have a large list of 10 digit phone numbers currently formatted as
1234567890. I would like to change them so area code and prefix is separated
by hyphen 123-456-7890. Is there a relatively simple way to do this with a
formula? Would having some of the numbers already changed to my desired
format affect how the formula runs?

The format modifies the appearance and I took it to mean that he wanted to
convert the current values to include the "-" at position 4 & 8. Otherwise
you can just use a format mask of ###-###-#### if all you want to do is
change the way the numbers appear.

I interpreted the question to mean a conversion and not a format change.

Thanks...
--
Kevin Backmann


"John C" wrote:

Did you catch the part where the OP said some numbers are already formatted
as xxx-xxx-xxxx?
--
John C


"Kevin B" wrote:

Insert a helper column and enter the following formula, replacing cell A1 in
the example with the first cell containing your phone numbers:

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

Copy down the help column.

Copy all the formulas in the helper column and move the cell pointer to the
first cell containing your original phone numbers. Right click on the cell,
select PASTE SPECIAL, click the VALUES option button and click the OK command
button to return to the worksheet.

Delete the helper column when done.
--
Kevin Backmann


"pete5440" wrote:

I have a large list of 10 digit phone numbers currently formatted as
1234567890. I would like to change them so area code and prefix is separated
by hyphen 123-456-7890. Is there a relatively simple way to do this with a
formula? Would having some of the numbers already changed to my desired
format affect how the formula runs?

You misunderstand. I agree with your formula, but you don't check if the cell
is already in the format of 123-456-7890. Your formula is:
=LEFT(A1,3)&"-"&MID(A1,4,3)&"-"&RIGHT(A1,4)
which would convert the above formula to:
123--45-7890
Assuming the OP only has 2 possibilities in the column, 1234567890 and
123-456-7890, I would modify your formula thusly:
=IF(LEN(A1)<10,A1,LEFT(A1,3)&"-"&MID(A1,4,3)&"-"&RIGHT(A1,4))
--
John C


"Kevin B" wrote:

The format modifies the appearance and I took it to mean that he wanted to
convert the current values to include the "-" at position 4 & 8. Otherwise
you can just use a format mask of ###-###-#### if all you want to do is
change the way the numbers appear.

I interpreted the question to mean a conversion and not a format change.

Thanks...
--
Kevin Backmann


"John C" wrote:

Did you catch the part where the OP said some numbers are already formatted
as xxx-xxx-xxxx?
--
John C


"Kevin B" wrote:

Insert a helper column and enter the following formula, replacing cell A1 in
the example with the first cell containing your phone numbers:

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

Copy down the help column.

Copy all the formulas in the helper column and move the cell pointer to the
first cell containing your original phone numbers. Right click on the cell,
select PASTE SPECIAL, click the VALUES option button and click the OK command
button to return to the worksheet.

Delete the helper column when done.
--
Kevin Backmann


"pete5440" wrote:

I have a large list of 10 digit phone numbers currently formatted as
1234567890. I would like to change them so area code and prefix is separated
by hyphen 123-456-7890. Is there a relatively simple way to do this with a
formula? Would having some of the numbers already changed to my desired
format affect how the formula runs?