Converting numbers to text in csv files

[EmmaN]

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me, I'm trying to import some data to one of our systems in a csv(Comma delimited (*.csv) file. I have a column containing ID numbers (must read this) column below, when i save the file the number string changes to the following (Converts to this) column below.

I've tried formatting the column to text, using text to column and changing to text, using the =TEXT formula but every time i save and go back into it the string changes to the (converts to this) column below. I'm stuck for ideas, can anyone help please. Thank you. Emma

[TABLE="width: 216"]
<colgroup><col style="text-align: center;"><col style="text-align: center;"></colgroup><tbody>[TR]
[TD][TABLE="width: 216"]
<colgroup><col style="text-align: center;"><col style="text-align: center;"></colgroup><tbody>[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Must read this[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Converts to this when saved and reopened[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]141104705547[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]1.41E+11[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]1313585147064[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]1.31E+12[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]131439430954[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]1.31E+11[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]85350136148[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]85350136148[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]83533705547[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]83533705547[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]144704705547[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]1.45E+11[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]1415361871[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]1415361871[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

​

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[steve the fish]

Click into the cell showing say 1.41E+11. What do you see in the formula bar?

 

[Jazz M]

I took your data, pasted into excel, saved as a csv, closed the file and reopened. the data does change to your second column as you suggested.

However, by highlighting the cells and then using home menu and number format and changing from General to number returns the cells to their original format.