Using F2 - How do you do 3,000 entries all at once?

A

AndreaW

I have discovered I need to change cell formatting from Text to General in
order to get my VLOOKUP to work properly. The problem is is that I would
prefer to do this all at once as my column contains well over 3,000 entries.
Imagine pressing F2, Enter, F2, Enter, F2, Enter into each individual cell (I
can't keep the beat going!) Is there a better way to perfom this task in one
step?
 
E

Elkar

First off, format your range to "General" or "Number"
Enter a 1 into any blank cell.
Copy that cell.
Select your range of data to convert.
Paste Special, and select "Multiply"
Click OK
Delete the 1 that you entered originally.

By multiplying all data by 1, you've changed each value that Excel can
recognize as a number into a number without changing the value.

HTH,
Elkar
 
M

mrice

Try this..

Select one of the cells, start a macro recording and convert from test
to general. Stop the macro recording.

Then select all your cells and run the macro.
 
A

AndreaW

You're brilliant Elkar ... thank you!!!!

Elkar said:
First off, format your range to "General" or "Number"
Enter a 1 into any blank cell.
Copy that cell.
Select your range of data to convert.
Paste Special, and select "Multiply"
Click OK
Delete the 1 that you entered originally.

By multiplying all data by 1, you've changed each value that Excel can
recognize as a number into a number without changing the value.

HTH,
Elkar
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