You will still be able to use the outputted text number in mathematical operations as Excel will automatically convert the text number to a real number in order to use it in a mathematical operation.
Yes you are right.
It wasn't working for me as I had formatted the cell using the right-click menu and chosen "Text". But with your formula method it appears too work.
Thanks for that.

Can you show us what you are trying to achieve/avoid on a more realistic sheet??
See attachment.
At the moment I am merging cells.
I used the Sum function on merged cells recently and got 3 times the value expected.
So I'm trying to stop merging cells.

Snapshot2.png