Field is character but shows up in Excel as scientific

[cperrelli]

Hi,

    I have a database column that is defined as

VARCHAR(21) CHARACTER SET LATIN NOT CASESPECIFIC

When I use ODS and create an xls file the field shows up a scientific numbers in Excel.  If I change the column format manually to number this solves this issue.  The thing is this file is going to be emailed from LINUX without any manual intervention.  What can I do to show the field as numeric in Excel as it seems it's translating the character field.  When I did a proc contents and proc print on the file it's defined as char(21) and the numbers appear correctly.  What do I need to do to make excel recognize this field as either the character that It is defined as or change it to number?  I am not able to attach the list file due to security regulations.

[VDD]

define the column as numeric not varchar 

when is SAS think as SAS and leave MS behind. 

[Cynthia_sas]

Hi:
ODS does not create an XLS file. It creates an XLSX (ODS EXCEL) or an XML file (ODS TAGSETS.EXCELXP). With the value turned into a number, Excel may still not treat the number correctly.

Typically, which ever one you use, you may have to send a Microsoft format from SAS to Excel.

Cynthia

[cperrelli]

Thanks for your reply. I was able to resolve the issue.