ExcelBanter - How do I keep numbers from rounding in a custom format?

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How do I keep numbers from rounding in a custom format?

I need to enter 17 digit account codes into a spreadsheet. the format I set
up to do this was including the hyphens that spearate various factors within
the account codes. However, when I enter the numbers, the last digit is
rounding down and I need it to stay the way I enter it. My limited
experimenting included formating the cells as text, but then I was forced to
entere all the hyphens. Following is the format I created.

##-###-###-###-###-###

Thank you for any help you can offer. PLease respond to

How do I keep numbers from rounding in a custom format?

Excel's numerical precision is 15 decimal digits.
For identifiers, like credit card numbers, use text.
Two ways (at least):
a. Format the cell as text before entering the "number"
b. Precede the entry with an apostrophe; it will not show, but force the entry to be text

--
Kind regards,

Niek Otten
Microsoft MVP - Excel

"daisyweg" wrote in message ...
| 15 max ?
|
| "Don Guillett" wrote:
|
| 15 max
|
|
| --
| Don Guillett
| SalesAid Software
|
| "daisyweg" wrote in message
| ...
| I need to enter 17 digit account codes into a spreadsheet. the format I set
| up to do this was including the hyphens that spearate various factors
| within
| the account codes. However, when I enter the numbers, the last digit is
| rounding down and I need it to stay the way I enter it. My limited
| experimenting included formating the cells as text, but then I was forced
| to
| entere all the hyphens. Following is the format I created.
|
| ##-###-###-###-###-###
|
| Thank you for any help you can offer. PLease respond to
|
|
|
|