How do I get excel 2003, and 2010 for that matter, to NOT automatically treat an email address typed into a cell as a link? Formatting the call as a number or as text doesn't work - no format seems to work. This is very irritating. Every time you touch a cell with that link it assumes you want to send a message to that address and opens an email program and you have to waste time backing out of everything. This can't be difficult but I sure can't figure it out.

Follow these steps to stop creating hyperlinks for an E-mail address.

In Excel 2010:
- Go to the File menu and click on Options.
- Now click on Proofing in the left column.
- Now click on AutoCorrect Options.
- In the AutoCorrect box, click on AutoFormat As You Type tab.
- Now uncheck the box of Internet and networks paths with hyperlinks.
- Now click on OK twice.

In Excel 2003:
- Click on Tools menu.
- Now click on AutoCorrect Options.
- Now you see Autoformat As You Type tab.
- Now clear the check box of Internet and networks paths with hyperlinks.
- Now click on OK.

Thank you very much. Problem solved 100%. I'm very grateful and have passed the info on to others I know who have had the same issue. I've explored these tools and settings options so I'll know better how to fix other issues that might arise.

This method also prevent Excel to creating Hyperlinks automatically when type entries with prefixes like http://, www., mailto:, ftp:, etc.