Formatting cell to expand numbers

[charliealphabravo]

Hi all,

I'd like to format a cell so that numbers are expanded over adjacent empty cells rather than abbreviated as pound signs (#) when the cell is too narrow. It does this automatically for text but not for numbers. If I change the cell format to "Text" it automatically widens the cell for the whole column which I was hoping to avoid.

Anyway, I encountered this problem because I am trying something new where I don't adjust the cell widths if possible. Normally I would just widen the cell to fix this display problem.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am just trying to create a form that can be printed out as pre-formatted pages of an exhibit in a report.

 

[IDS]

Since you don't seem to be using the numbers for calculations, why not just enter them as text (start with a space)?

Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[Hoaokapohaku]

Merge the cells in a given row in columns U:X.

 

[electricpete]

All good answers:
Another approach: Remove stuff in the cell to the right and you won't get the ###.
Actually you need to do that for any solution that will extend past the cell right boundary... excel won't cover up data in the cell to the right no matter what you do.

=====================================
(2B)+(2B)' ?

 

[electricpete]

Although it's odd there appears nothing in that cell to the right (column V), in which case I'd expect the column U contents to show. Maybe try deleting contents in column V anyway to see if something hidden.

=====================================
(2B)+(2B)' ?

 

[Hoaokapohaku]

Maybe try deleting contents in column V anyway to see if something hidden.

...or delete the entire columns, and then reinsert them.