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Message Posted: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 @ 12:10:02 GMT

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When excel encounters a cell with a large number, it will display it with an exponential format. If the column is narrow, excel will switch to the exponential format so that the displayed value will fit within the cell. If you make the column wider, excel will switch back to displaying the number. I think that if the value is greater than 1.0e11, then excel will always display the value as an exponential.

Go ahead and open a new spreadsheet. In the first cell, enter a single digit number. In the next cell, enter a two digit number. Keep repeating this until you have a 14 digit number. Play with the column width and you'll see the display switching.

The change in how a number is displayed does not affect the actual value contained by the cell.

This is basic excel behavior. If you simply open a file (whether txt, csv or dif), excel assumes a format of 'general' - it's the default for all new cells. The display behavior described above is for the 'general' format.

You can change the format of a cell (or column, whatever) by selecting 'Format' -> 'Cells'. Under 'Category', select 'Number'. From there, pick the format you want. If the column is too narrow for the number, then excel will switch the display to exponential.

If you want values to be displayed in a specific fashion, you'll have to address that problem in excel.

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