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

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

Welcome to the forum.

How does the data get entered into your sheet in the first place? Is it in a text file that you import?

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