How do I format a column for phone numbers?

Dee Randall

I would like to format all input numbers to have the same format (xxx) xxx-xxxx

Travis

There is not a built in phone number format - these numbers will need to be formatted manually.

 

You could use a concatenate formula in a new column to do this automatically for you.

 

Try this formula:

 

="(" + LEFT(Text13, 3) + ") " + MID(Text13, 4, 3) + "-" + RIGHT(Text13, 4)

 

Text13 is the cell containing the phone number in this example and will turn this:

 

2068675309

 

To this:

 

(206) 867-5309

J. Craig Williams

I use to be anal about that until I started calling German friends. Their system does not have a fixed length. Bernt's number is 201 345678 and Simone's number is 177 232 23286. (Don't call them)

My brain still hurts when I think about it.

 

Craig

 

J. Craig Williams

Don't put the formula into cell Text13. 

You need two columns, one with the raw data, one with the formatted data.

 

Craig

 

Stan Adell

I keep getting a #CIRCULAR REFERENCE error trying to get that concatenate formula to work. So, the only way to do it is with two columns - one unformatted and one with forumula.? Please tell me there is a better way.