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

[howie707]

Hello folks!! Is this something that is too easy for a "nitwit" like myself to figure out on my own? Can someone put me in touch with some one that can help? I have searched this forum for hours along with viewing several Youtube videos and nothing seems to even come close to my question. If some one could just point me in a different direction, I would be forever grateful. I seem to be going around in circles. If what I am doing now is okay, I will not have a problem. The tracking numbers will only be stored. In other words, they will not have to be used in any future formulas where it could cause many issues. The only thing that I see, is that the ones that I designate as "text" have a dark green triangle in the top left corner. Im sorry if I sound so stupid. Its only because I dont work with this much and it shows when things like this come up. Stephanie

[Pecoflyer]

Hi
please have some patience waiting for help. We are all volunteers here working for free on our spare time.
Usual forum etiquette is waiting about 24 hrs before bumping.
Please post a sample sheet showing your problem.
Which formula are you talking about ?

[macropod]

You could format the entire column as Text. That way, Excel will accept numbers from 1 to 32,767 digits and will display up to 1,024 digits. No formulae required - and you can even have leading 0s.