Works: Converting Numbers Entered as Text into a Numeric Format (102421)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 2.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 4.5
  • Microsoft Works 4.5a
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0 4.0a
This article was previously published under Q102421

SUMMARY

If valid numeric entries have been inserted into a Spreadsheet or in the list view of the Database file as text (that is, on the toolbar, a quotation mark ["] is in front of the entries), they can be converted into the numeric format. This can be done by copying the entries into a Word Processor document and pasting them back into the original file.

MORE INFORMATION

Numeric data entered into the Spreadsheet or Database file as text can be converted into a numeric format by following these steps:

  1. Highlight the data that needs to be converted.
  2. From the Edit menu, click Copy.
  3. From the File menu, click Create New File. Select Word Processor.
  4. In Works 2.0:

    In the new Word Processor document, click Paste from the Edit menu. The data will now appear in the Word Processor file.

    In Works 3.0 and later:

    In the new Word Processor document, click Paste Special from the Edit menu and select Unformatted Text. Click OK.
  5. In Works 2.0:

    On the Select menu, click All.

    In Works 3.0 and later:

    On the Edit menu, click Select All.
  6. From the Edit menu, click Copy.
  7. Close the Word Processing document without saving and return to the original file.
  8. Position the cursor in the first cell in which the data should be placed (for example, if the original data was copied from A5 to A15 in the Spreadsheet file, select A5.)
  9. From the Edit menu, click Paste.
This converts the data into a numeric format.

NOTE: This only works if the values can be interpreted as a valid numeric entry by Works. Valid numeric entries are composed of numbers and certain special characters, such as the comma, the dollar sign, the E when used to denote an exponent, a period, and the percent sign.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/15/2004
Keywords:kbinfo KB102421
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.