When I enter a number in a cell, like a serial number with 16 digits, it
always makes the last number a zero even when it isn't.

For instance I will type 23467923400998
but it will show 23467923400990

Excel's limit is 15 digits,
Regards,
Alan.
"trafficpower" wrote in message
...
When I enter a number in a cell, like a serial number with 16 digits, it
always makes the last number a zero even when it isn't.

For instance I will type 23467923400998
but it will show 23467923400990

Excel, along with many other software applications, can only handle
numbers with 15-digit precision. If you want to display and handle more
digits than this, then you should enter them as text values with an
apostophe in front, i.e.:

'23467923400998

The apostrophe will not show in the cell (though it is visible in the
formula bar). As this is now a text value, you would not be able to do
any normal arithmetic with it, though of course you will be able to use
string functions like LEFT, MID etc.

Hope this helps.

Pete

trafficpower wrote:
When I enter a number in a cell, like a serial number with 16 digits, it
always makes the last number a zero even when it isn't.

For instance I will type 23467923400998
but it will show 23467923400990

Excel only has 15 digit precision.

If you need more, you will require a different program.

Preface the number with a single quote(apostrophe) or pre-format the cells to
Text.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP


On Fri, 29 Sep 2006 17:19:02 -0700, trafficpower
wrote:

When I enter a number in a cell, like a serial number with 16 digits, it
always makes the last number a zero even when it isn't.

For instance I will type 23467923400998
but it will show 23467923400990