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Importing Info into Excel?

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4 replies

by turtleusn

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When I try to import information from a Word Document or another Spreadsheet that contains numerical data it converts it to a date {example 6-10} I want it to stay text so I can use it to refer to feet and inches. Is there any way to make this work, so I do not have to go manually manipulate the data? I have tried to make those cells format as text and then to import but it still reverts the data.

4 replies

by chitosunday

How do you import it using cut and paste or by clicking data import external data. If you are using the data import external data there is an option in step 3 where you can import it as text but it does not apply to word document. You have to import it as a text file.

by turtleusn

I use the cut and paste method, where I have modified the original data by inserting tabs where I want it to move to a new cell. Is there some setting somewhere that would allow you to paste the data and not have Excel automatically modify it?

by chitosunday

You have to use the second option data, import external data and in step 3 you choose text .
But before you do this, convert your word document as text by opening and saving it as text and then close it. In excel, click data, etc.

by david_j_will

If you cut and paste the data in a word document say 6-10 into excel it normally converts this to a date, but if you firstly format the cell in exel you want the data to go into as "Text" instead of "General" and then after selecting the data in word (cut button or Control X) goto excel and make sure the cell you formatted as text is highlighted and right click with the mouse then select the option paste special. Make sure the control button - paste is highlighted and click on the option "Text" and the ok button. This will bring word data into excel as text and it will stay as the word format 6-10.

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