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Can you upload a small sample workbook along with the desired output mocked up manually so that we can visualize your requirement more clearly?
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A formula will put the result in a different column, assuming SS# in column B:<br />
<br />
=&quot;xxx-&quot;&amp;TEXT(B2,&quot;00-000&quot;)<br />
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Copy down the column as far as required. You can then copy all of the results and do a Paste Values back into column B if you want to overwrite the original.<br />
<br />
Thanks<br />
Rob
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Can you show me a screenshot of an excel file that would demonstrate this for me? &nbsp;Very novice with these things. &nbsp;Right now I have a column of 50 social security numbers in column B. &nbsp;Where do I add the formula and how do I copy it to the whole column?
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Copy the formula I gave into cell C2, &nbsp;assuming it is blank. Hover the mouse over the bottom right corner of cell C2 until the cursors turns to a + symbol; double click and the formula will be copied down as required.<br />
<br />
Now select cell C2 as normal with the mouse. On the keyboard press the Shift key and the down arrow key until all the cells with the formula are selected. Now press Ctrl + C to copy these cells. Select B2 and right click. There will be an option to paste values, looks like a square with 123 in it; click that and the values will be pasted in column B. The formulas in column C can now be deleted.
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I must be doing this all wrong. &nbsp;I tried to go by the instructions but the screenshot shows what I received.<br />
<a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2016/09_w39/1117695/Screen-Shot-2016-09-20-at-11.05.31-A.png" target="_blank" class="file-inline" title="- (41 KB)"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><path d="M67.508 468.467c-58.005-58.013-58.016-151.92 0-209.943l225.011-225.04c44.643-44.645 117.279-44.645 161.92 0 44.743 44.749 44.753 117.186 0 161.944l-189.465 189.49c-31.41 31.413-82.518 31.412-113.926.001-31.479-31.482-31.49-82.453 0-113.944L311.51 110.491c4.687-4.687 12.286-4.687 16.972 0l16.967 16.971c4.685 4.686 4.685 12.283 0 16.969L184.983 304.917c-12.724 12.724-12.73 33.328 0 46.058 12.696 12.697 33.356 12.699 46.054-.001l189.465-189.489c25.987-25.989 25.994-68.06.001-94.056-25.931-25.934-68.119-25.932-94.049 0l-225.01 225.039c-39.249 39.252-39.258 102.795-.001 142.057 39.285 39.29 102.885 39.287 142.162-.028A739446.174 739446.174 0 0 1 439.497 238.49c4.686-4.687 12.282-4.684 16.969.004l16.967 16.971c4.685 4.686 4.689 12.279.004 16.965a755654.128 755654.128 0 0 0-195.881 195.996c-58.034 58.092-152.004 58.093-210.048.041z"/></svg>Screen-Shot-2016-09-20-at-11.05.31-A.png</a>
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Screen-Shot-2016-09-20-at-11.05.31-A.png

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Can you upload the file so that we can take a look.<br />
<br />
From the screen shot, it looks like the value of 502-98-8984 is in cell B1. For my formula I had assumed that row 1 would be headers so suggested you refer to row 2 in the formula for the first value.<br />
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Also it looks like you have the value with 9 digits spaced with a couple of dashes, that is not the impression I got from the question.<br />
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So, I assume you want the first three characters converted to xxx and the remainder added to the end. Is that correct? Are the dashes as a result of special formatting or actually contained in the cell; I know there is a Built In format for SS#s. <br />
<br />
When cell B2 is selected, what is in the formula bar, is it '502-98-8984 or just 502988984?<br />
<br />
Thanks<br />
Rob H
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It is just one column of social security numbers. &nbsp;Need the formula to format the first 3 numbers of the ss # into x's so the number will look like this: &nbsp; xxx-111-1112<br />
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Here is a screenshot. &nbsp;Probably explained it wrong.<br />
<a href="https://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2016/09_w39/1117698/Screen-Shot-2016-09-20-at-11.18.17-A.png" target="_blank" class="file-inline" title="1 (265 KB)"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><path d="M67.508 468.467c-58.005-58.013-58.016-151.92 0-209.943l225.011-225.04c44.643-44.645 117.279-44.645 161.92 0 44.743 44.749 44.753 117.186 0 161.944l-189.465 189.49c-31.41 31.413-82.518 31.412-113.926.001-31.479-31.482-31.49-82.453 0-113.944L311.51 110.491c4.687-4.687 12.286-4.687 16.972 0l16.967 16.971c4.685 4.686 4.685 12.283 0 16.969L184.983 304.917c-12.724 12.724-12.73 33.328 0 46.058 12.696 12.697 33.356 12.699 46.054-.001l189.465-189.489c25.987-25.989 25.994-68.06.001-94.056-25.931-25.934-68.119-25.932-94.049 0l-225.01 225.039c-39.249 39.252-39.258 102.795-.001 142.057 39.285 39.29 102.885 39.287 142.162-.028A739446.174 739446.174 0 0 1 439.497 238.49c4.686-4.687 12.282-4.684 16.969.004l16.967 16.971c4.685 4.686 4.689 12.279.004 16.965a755654.128 755654.128 0 0 0-195.881 195.996c-58.034 58.092-152.004 58.093-210.048.041z"/></svg>Screen-Shot-2016-09-20-at-11.18.17-A.png</a>
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Screen-Shot-2016-09-20-at-11.18.17-A.png

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Your latest screenshot (not useful, files are better) shows the values in column A rather than column B as per first screenshot.<br />
<br />
Change reference to B1 in formulas above to A1.
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Slight amendment, I had the format of the SS# wrong, I was missing a digit.<br />
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If just numbers in the cell use: &nbsp; <br />
&nbsp; =&quot;xxx-&quot;&amp;TEXT(MID(B1,4,7),&quot;<wbr />000-0000&quot;)<wbr /><br />
<br />
If already spaced with dashes use:<br />
&nbsp; &nbsp;=&quot;xxx-&quot;&amp;MID(B1,5,8)
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Another way....<br />
As per your screenshot, If your number string is in A1, try this in B1<br />
<br />
In B1<br />

<pre><code class="code-1 nolinks" id="code-20-41807120-1"><span>=SUBSTITUTE(A1,LEFT(A1,3),&quot;xxx&quot;)</span>
</code></pre>
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Assuming SS# is already formatted with dashes and not &nbsp;a real number with Custom formatting. Still waiting for an answer on that question.
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Sorry Rob. &nbsp;CLicked on the wrong area to contact you. &nbsp;I need the formual to format the ss # so it displays like this:<br />
<br />
xxx-xx-8785
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=&quot;xxx-xx-&quot;&amp;RIGHT(B1,4)
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<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
I have an excel sheet that has names and social security numbers. &nbsp;I need to update all of the ss #'s to show the number like this: &nbsp; xxx-98-9744. &nbsp;The first 3 digits need to be x's. &nbsp;Any ideas on a formula that I could copy to do this? &nbsp;I'm not very proficient with excel so I will also need &nbsp;instructions on how to copy this through the column so each number gets changed correctly.
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I have an excel sheet that has names and social security numbers.  I need to update all of the ss #'s to show the number like this:   xxx-98-9744.  The first 3 digits need to be x's.  Any ideas on a formula that I could copy to do this?  I'm not very proficient with excel so I will also need  instructions on how to copy this through the column so each number gets changed correctly.

excel - adding x's to social security number

Microsoft Excel topics include formulas, formatting, VBA macros and user-defined functions, and everything else related to the spreadsheet user interface, including error messages.