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Long numbers are displayed incorrectly in Excel

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MORE INFORMATION

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This is a Step by Step

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SYMPTOMS

After you enter a long number (such as a credit card number) in an Excel cell, the number is not displayed correctly in Excel. For example,

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Note Default number format in Excel is General therefore you can display up to 11 digits in a cell.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Format the cell as text

To do this, follow these steps:

Right-click target cell, and then click Format Cells.

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On the Number tab, select Text, and then click OK.

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Then type a long number. (Be sure to set the cell format before you type the number)

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If you do not want to see the warning arrows, click the small arrow, and then click Ignore Error.

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Method 2: Use a single quotation mark

When you enter a long number, type a single quotation mark (') first in the cell, and then type the long number.

For example, type '1234567890123456789 and the quotation mark will not be displayed after you press ENTER.

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