Excel: Widening Cell Doesn't Convert Scientific Notation

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
Article ID: Q49223

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel versions 1.50 and earlier, expanding the column width will cause a number in the General format that appears in scientific notation to revert to displaying all digits.

However, expanding the column width in version 3.00 or 2.20 does not cause the number to change from scientific notation when the number is more than 11 characters. When the number is less than 11 characters, expanding the column width will cause all digits of the number to be displayed.

To display the numbers correctly, use a number format other than General.

MORE INFORMATION

When entering a number that is more than 11 characters in length, Excel 3.00 and 2.20 enter the number in scientific notation. For example, 3.3333E+11 is the result of entering the number 333333333333.

KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory:
Additional reference words: 2.20 3.00

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.