"Plexiglass" is 10 characters
"tape, cables, AV tape, misc. cables" is 35 characters

So a returned value of 28 is incorrect in both cases.

What you're describing suggests that you may have Calculation set to MANUAL.
If that's the case...when you copy a formula to another cell, it will retain
it's previous value.

If you press [F9] and the formulas change to correct values...
fix it this way:
From the Excel main menu:
<tools<options<calculation tab
Check: Automatic.......Click [OK]

Does that help?
***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2003, WinXP


"Coccoleggs" wrote:

the content of the cell was "plexiglass"
the second cell said "tape, cables, AV tape, misc. cables" and it said both
cells had 28 characters in it.

But the text to column thing worked it separated the 60 characters out .
"Ron Coderre" wrote:

I hate to disagree, but if the LEN function says you have 28
characters....then you HAVE 28 characters. What are the actual contents of
that cell?

Try this to test.....
Select the cell in question
Press [F2]...to engage Edit Mode

If that cell contains a formula
Press [F9]...to convert the formula to its calculated value.

Now count the characters displayed in the formula bar.
Are there blanks that you hadn't considered?

Does that help?
***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2003, WinXP


"Coccoleggs" wrote:

That did not work. But thats for the suggestion. When I put the formula in
is showed 28 for a cell that has 10 characters.

"Ron Coderre" wrote:

With
A1: (a text value)

Try this
B1: =LEN(A1)

Does that help?
--------------------------

Regards,

Ron (XL2003, Win XP)
Microsoft MVP (Excel)


"Coccoleggs" wrote in message
...
How can I count the number of characters in a cell?