value "37e0" is being automatically reformatted upon import to excel

[jontuplin]

Hello,

I am an intermediate user of excel currently working with the 2007 version. I am performing some analysis work which involves heavy use of a long list of 4 digit values which can be a blend of letters and numbers, for example:

89SD
37K0
X425
37E0
1234
89SD
X123
6901
4150

I am having various problems working with the list in excel, especially when using vlookups, however the problem I would like assistance with here is as follows....

I have built a report which involves exporting a subset of data from our database to excel and then formatting the data with a pivot table, I am keen to minimize manual intervention to make life easier for future users. The following value is giving me problems:

37E0

If I put it into a worksheet along with all my other values, it gets changed to:

3.70E+01

If I reformat the list as general, number or text the value is changed to:

37

I can manually format the value as text and then add the 'E0' back in, but I would like to know if this step is avoidable. Is there any way of preventing excel from changing this value when it is first entered?

Many thanks in advance,

Jon