Try selecting the column, right click, format cells, on the number tab...select accounting.
Is the data with the trailing negative sign recognized as text?
If yes, try putting the following formula in the column next to your data:
=IF(ISTEXT(A1),-VALUE(MID(A1,1,LEN(A1)-1)),A1)
where A1 is the cell address. Copy this formula down to the end of your data. Then select the all the formulas, copy them, and then paste value only. This should get your values.
Hope this helps, if not drop me an e-mail.
Hi Dwight
As you asked for a macro I have adapted Barrys' formula. This will work on Column A
Sub ChangeFormat()
Dim TheRange As Range
Set TheRange = Columns(1).SpecialCells(xlConstants)
TheRange.Offset(0, 1) = _
"=IF(ISTEXT(RC[-1]),-VALUE(MID(RC[-1],1,LEN(RC[-1])-1)),RC[-1])"
TheRange.Offset(0, 1).Cut
TheRange = TheRange.Offset(0, 1).Value
TheRange.Offset(0, 1).Clear
Set TheRange = Nothing
End Sub
Dave
OzGrid Business Applications