Formula for tracking (shipping) numbers when number of characters change

[howie707]

Hello, I can not find any info in regard to "tracking numbers" and hope that someone can help me. We have FedEx, UPS and other shippers that we use. I have a column titled TRACKING and when I put one type of Fedex number in (15 character) I can use the formula Number set it to -0- decimal places and I can insert the number. Then Fedex has other numbers with (22 characters) I can change the formula in that cell to TEXT and it will work. We have another shipper that only uses (8 characters) . Can ANY ONE tell me how I can set the formula to accept the tracking number in each cell without having to change it each time? I have the 2007 Excel Book by John Walkenbach and could not find anything in it either. I think when you use the word tracking in your query, it throws the search off and you end up in places that make no sense. I would be so grateful for ANY help. Stephanie



I actually have win 8.1 pro office 2013 if this makes any difference