text to number problem

[kingdom42]

Hi I have run into a problem that I cannot solve!
It should be simple!
I have some imported data that I eventually discovered was in text rather than number format.

I wish to use the last digit value using (right,x,1).
No matter what I try the digit is not recognised as a number

Even if I enter a test number and use the function it does not recognise it?

It would appear that there is a setting I cannot identify which is causing the problem.
Help would be appreciated as it is driving me mad it should be so simple.

Regards

john