Retriev cell content . Number format

[JohnExcel222]

Hi there,

I have copied and pasted number, but Excel changed it to another number.
How can I retrieve the old value?

The original value is: 2:2124
I should have copied it as Text.

When I pasted straight into excel (actually google sheets on my iPhone), this value was stored as 37:24:00.
How can I retrieve the original value?

Also the whole original serie
2:2124
2:16581
2:8824
2:8166
2:5019
2:8165
2:8858
2:1103

was converted and stored as
37:24:00
278:21:00
149:04:00
138:06:00
85:39:00
138:05:00
149:38:00
20:23

 

[arthurbr]

Perhaps try a Google sheet forum?

 

[Special-K99]

What type of data is this supposed to represent?

2:2124
2:16581
2:8824
2:8166
2:5019
2:8165
2:8858
2:1103

Excel is converting these to times.
In Excel time is stored thus 1.0 equals 1 day so 6am = 06:00:00 = 0.25
12pm = 12:00:00 = 0.50

 

[JohnExcel222]

These are dictionary registers....like "word" IDs. Is there a formula that I can use? ...like =A4....
I have thousand of these these to convert back.
Many thanks !!

 

[JohnExcel222]

I have noticed the following:

138:05:00 2:8165
138:06:00 2:8166

149:04:00 2:8824
149:38:00 2:8858

 

[Special-K99]

"How can I retrieve the old value?"

You mean maintain the value

Put a quote ' in front of them and they will be stored as text and won't be changed by Excel.

 

[JohnExcel222]

Thank you,
I was adking if there is a formula to switch between these these 2 values....?