formatting phone numbers in excel

[ExcelHelpNeed]

I am working with a spreadsheet that has phone numbers formatted like this (###) ###-#### but I would like them to be converted to this format ###-###-####. i have tried formatting the cells with a custom format of ###-###-#### but it does not chance the existing phone numbers like I need it to.
Can you please help me with this?

[NBVC]

When you click on the cell with a phone number in it.. what exactly appears in the formula bar at the top?

[ExcelHelpNeed]

it shows the phone number (123) 456-7890

[NBVC]

So then you can't use custom format since that is essentially a text string...

If you select the column and go to Edit|Replace...then you can do it in 3 steps.

Enter an opening parenthesis: ( in the the Find What field

Don't enter anything in the Replace With field.

Click Ok

Re-invoke Edit|Replace and repeat with the closing parenthesis: ) in the Find What box.

Re-invoke Edit|Replace again. Now enter a space in the Find What box (using Spacebar) and enter a dash: - in the Replace with Box. Click Ok.

You should have your new format now (assuming consistency of original data).

[ExcelHelpNeed]

Thank you that worked well.

[NBVC]

You are welcome,

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