You can format numbers as text in a spreadsheet. When numbers
are formatted as text, they cannot be used in calculations or formulas.
If you need to enter a number directly as text, enter an
apostrophe (') first. For example, to input years as text in column
headings, you can enter '1999, '2000 and '2001. The apostrophe is
not visible in the cell; it only indicates that the entry is to be
recognized as text. For example, use the apostrophe when you enter
a telephone number or postal code that begins with a zero (0), because
a 0 at the start of a sequence of digits is removed in normal number
formats.
Note: If you have already entered numbers in cells and, afterwards,
changed the format of the cells to Text, the numbers remain numbers
and are not converted. Only numbers entered after you specify that
they are text, or numbers which are edited, become text.
- Select the cells in which you want numbers displayed as
text.
- Click .
- In the Category area, select Text.
Any numbers subsequently entered into the formatted range are interpreted
as text. The display of these "numbers" is left-justified, just as
with other text.