Excel help requested...is there anyway to convert: '025 to the number 25 ?

[rnmcd]

I imported a bunch of data that is, apparently, being interpreted as text. The formula bar(?) shows the entry like this: '025

I would like to change that to the number: 25

so that I can perform calculations with it.

Can this conversion be made in excel?

Thanks.

 

[trmiv]

In Excel 2003 there is a little ! that pops up next to cells like that that allows you to convert to a number. I guess your's doesn't have that. You can do this I guess if you need to do it for a lot of numbers.

1) Put a 0 (zero) in an empty cell.
2) Copy the 0
3) Select all your '025 cells
4) Select Paste Special from the edit menu
5) Select "Values" under paste, and "Add" under operation

They will all now be 25.

 

[rnmcd]

Thanks for the quick reply. Here's something else that I just coincidentally found that works too:

selecting the cell(s) that were imported, then using the "Text to Columns" feature off the Data toolbar. This will convert the numeric text to actual numeric values. You'll also lose the preceding zeros.