Formatted and Unformatted Data

Data in the sheet can have two "parts" to it, the data itself and the additional characteristics assigned to the data. For example, a currency cell with monetary information contains the numeric value for the money, such as 1324.56, but might also contain formatting that identifies the contents as money, such as a dollar sign, a separator character, and a decimal symbol ($1,324.56).

In addition to the data in the sheet, the cell in which the data resides can have characteristics assigned to it. For example, the cell containing the data could be a number cell type, with a yellow background, and it might contain a formula.

When you work with data in the sheet, adding it or moving it, for example, keep in mind the different characteristics associated with the data. For example, when you move data in the sheet, the values in the cells are moved. However, depending on how you move the cells, the cell type information for the cells might not move.

Throughout the instructional material where applicable, the introduction to the section describes the different ways you can work with data and what formatting and cell information will be lost or maintained.

Keep in mind what information you want returned when returning data from the sheet. Depending on how you return the information, you might or might not return the formatting information, such as a dollar sign in a monetary value.

Detailed information about data formatting is also provided in the property and method topics in the reference guides for the properties and methods that let you set and return data.