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What ##### actually means

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When a number needs more room than its column has, Excel refuses to show part of it. Half a number would be worse than no number at all, so you get ##### instead. The value underneath is intact.

Text behaves differently: it just spills over into the next cell if that cell is empty. Only numbers get the hash treatment.

Column C is too narrow for the figures in it. Widen it until the numbers appear.

C2
ABCDE
1ProjectBudget
2Harbour bridge######
3Rail depot######
4Tunnel survey######
5
6
7
8

Click a cell and type. Enter commits, Tab moves right, F2 edits in place, Ctrl+Z undoes. Drag the small square at the corner of a cell to fill. Ctrl+Enter checks your answer.

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